Mr Rainy shook his head.
“I don’t say that it is altogether beyond possibility. She seems to be a simple-minded creature in some ways, but she’s a woman. And just think of it! A free life before her, and all that money can give—I mean of the things dear to women—even to good and sensible women—gowns and bonnets and—things. It couldna but have come into her mind.”
“But even if she has thought of all these things, she refuses them now.”
“Yes, she does that, but why? It may be that she hasna confidence in herself. But that would come. There is no fear of a fine, stately woman like her. It is a pity that the poor man didna get to his own house to die.”
“Yes, it was Brownrig’s sole reason for wishing to go, that all might be made easier for her. He was eager to see her in the possession of all he had to give. It was too late, however. He failed rapidly, after he told me his wish. Still, I do not think that her being there would have made any difference in the end.”
“Do you mean that she would have said the same in those circumstances, and that she will hold out now? That she will go her own ways, and earn her bread, and call herself Allison Bain to the end of her days? No, no! she will come round. We’ll give her time, and she’ll come round, and ken her ain mind better. A year and a day I’ll give her, and by that time she will be wiser and less—less, what shall I call it? Less scrupulous.”
“There are, doubtless, folk ready to put in a claim for a share of what is left, should she refuse.”
“There is one man, and he has a family. I have had my eye on him for a while. He knows his connection with Brownrig. I don’t think he is proud of it. But he will have no scruples about taking all that he can get, I daresay. The will, as it stands, is not to be meddled with. I hope he may have to content himself with his five hundred pounds.”
Doctor Fleming smiled.
“I should say that he stands a fair chance of taking that and all else besides. Time will show.”