At this juncture Mr. Asherill cleared his throat vehemently. Mr. Benning seated with his legs stretched out crossed one foot over the other and contemplated the polish on his boots while Mr. Swanland remarked, "Ladies are always so hasty. They jump at conclusions so rapidly, and I must say, if you will forgive me, Mrs. Mortomley, frequently so erroneously."
"You mean, I suppose, that we may find ourselves in a more miserable position still?" said Dolly flushing a little. "If that be your meaning, let me know at once whether this fresh trouble refers to my money."
"I assure you—" began Mr. Swanland.
But she interrupted him by a quick impatient gesture.
"Why did you ask me to come here this morning? What is it you wish to be told that Mr. Benning cannot tell you better than I?"
Mr. Asherill laid down his pen and began to turn over the leaves of his diary softly and with a great show of interest. Mr. Benning lifted his eyes from his boots to stare at Mrs. Mortomley, while Mr. Swanland looking across at him asked,
"Was there anything to that effect in the will?"
"No. If you had given me five minutes' interview, as I asked, I could have told you there was not."
"And Herson?"