He and O'Brien thought that the principal condition must be forfeiture in case she married Blake. This would explain much of what was now incomprehensible.
"There are no conditions whatever in the will," she said in the same unmoved way.
"No conditions! And yet you have no home, although your late husband has left you a fine house?"
"Yes, and all that is necessary for the maintenance of that house; notwithstanding which, I have no home, and am a beggar."
"Mrs. Davenport," cried the old man, with genuine concern, "what you say is very shocking. I hope it is not true."
"I know this is not the time or place to talk of business. I know my business can have little or no interest for you."
"Excuse me, my dear Mrs. Davenport, there is nothing out of place about such talk now, and you really must not say we take but slight interest in your affairs. On the contrary, we are very much interested in them. I think I may answer for every member of my family, and say that beyond our own immediate circle of relatives there is no lady in whom we take so deep an interest."
The old man was solemn and emphatic.
"I am sure," said Mrs. Paulton, looking round the table, "that my husband has said nothing but the simple fact."
She turned her eyes upon the widow.