"He was a saving man and a careful one," said Mr. Bayliss, calmly,—"You may take it for granted, Mr. Clifford, that his money was made through the course of his long life, in a thoroughly honest and straightforward manner!"
"Oh—that, of course!—but—Twenty Thousand Pounds!"
"It is a nice little fortune," said Mr. Bayliss—"and you come into it at a time of life when you will be able to make good use of it. Especially if you should be inclined to marry—"
His eyes twinkled meaningly as they glanced from Clifford's face to that of Innocent—the young man's expression was absorbed and earnest, but the girl looked lost and far away in a dream of her own.
"I shall not marry," said Robin, slowly—"I shall use the money entirely for the good of the farm and the work-people—"
"Then, if you do not marry, you allow the tradition of heritage to lapse?" suggested Mr. Bayliss.
"It has lapsed already," he replied—"I am not a real descendant of the
Jocelyns—"
"By the mother's side you are," said Mr. Bayliss—"and your mother being dead, it is open to you to take the name of Jocelyn by law, and continue the lineage. It would be entirely fair and reasonable."
Robin made no answer. Mr. Bayliss settled his glasses more firmly on his nose, and went on with his documents.
"Mr. Jocelyn speaks in his Last Will and Testament of the 'great love' he entertained for his adopted child, known as 'Innocent'—and he gives to her all that is contained in the small oak chest in the best parlour—this is the best parlour, I presume?"—looking round—"Can you point out the oak chest mentioned?"