"Do you know in what relation he stood to Mr. Davenport?"
"I am under the impression he was some kind of humble hanger-on; but I am not sure."
"You know nothing of him?"
"Certainly not."
"Never saw him?"
"Not to my knowledge."
Another pause.
"You were good enough to tell me a moment ago that you are acquainted with the legal business of my late husband. Suppose I did not wish to take any money or property under my late husband's will, how would the matter be?"
"Not take your husband's money or property under the will! You are not, my dear Mrs. Davenport, thinking of anything so monstrous?" cried the old man, fairly surprised out of his measured tone and oracular manner.
"Suppose I am. Have I, or shall I soon have, absolute control over what has been left to me?"