“Nothing, sir—nothing worth repeating. Your question reminded me of a chance remark; but I would rather say no more about it.”
“You have said too much already. Pray go on, since you have begun!” cried Ruth, with a sudden blaze of anger. Her small head was thrown back with a defiant gesture, and the Farrell eyebrows met in a straight black line across her brow. “I spoke of your will, Uncle Bernard—I said I wished that I could see it. I did want to see it! It was impossible to know that it was lying there, and not feel curious.”
“Of course it was. We were all curious, but some of us had not the honesty to confess it,” Jack cried quickly. “Surely it is not necessary to keep Miss Ruth any longer, sir? She has told you that she can give you no more information. It is cruel to the girl—” He broke off as if afraid of speaking too strongly; and Mr Farrell lay back in his chair with a sudden weary slackening of muscle.
“Yes, yes, she may go; you may all go! We can prove nothing at present; but time will show—time will show!” And he raised his hand with a gesture of dismissal.
Ruth and Victor rose and hurriedly left the room only Jack stood his ground, nervously tugging at his moustache. He had something to say, and was determined to say it, but the sight of the old man’s figure in its physical and mental depression turned his anger into commiseration. It was in almost an apologetic voice that he broke the silence.
“I stayed because I wanted to have five minutes’ quiet talk with you, sir. My ankle is now practically well, and I am anxious to return to town. Please don’t think I am unappreciative of your kindness in wishing me to stay, but as I said before I have no wish to be considered as a candidate for your fortune. It is owing to my accident that I have remained so long, and not to any change of mind. I hear from my partner that the business is suffering from my absence, and we have had such a struggle to work it up to its present condition, that you can understand I am in a fever to get back.”
Contrary to his expectation Mr Farrell showed no sign either of surprise or anger. Perhaps he had been expecting the announcement as a result of convalescence, perhaps he was simply too weary to feel any strong interest in passing events. In any case, his face scarcely changed in expression, as he replied—
“After five weeks’ visit to the Court you still keep to your original opinion, that the chance of possessing it is not worth a little inconvenience, or even monetary loss?”
Jack pursed his lips with an impatient dissent.
“Oh, the Court is beautiful—an ideal place in every respect. I would go through a good deal to earn it—in a straightforward fashion. What I object to is the mystery, and the idleness, and the feeling of competition. You have every right to manage your own affairs in your own way, sir, but you must allow me the same privilege. You must have found out by this time that I have a large amount of obstinacy in my composition. I have made up my mind that for every reason it is my duty to return to town.”