"My dear Mr. Grey, there is some mistake. You surely do not imagine you are Miss Midharst's guardian?"
"Then, in the name of Heaven," cried Grey feebly, "if I am not, who is?"
"I."
"You! But the will does not mention your name!"
"Nor yours, as guardian of her person. You will take charge of Miss Midharst's fortune, as by will appointed. I will take charge of Miss Midharst herself, by position as head of the house. You did not catch the full drift of the meaning of the will. I paid particular attention to that paragraph."
"No doubt you are right, Sir William. I did not pay particular attention to that paragraph. I gathered that I was the only guardian named, and I concluded the conditions were the usual ones."
It was with the utmost difficulty Grey could prevent himself from betraying his conflicting passions. Now came personal anger against the young and determined baronet; now despair at the thought of having Maud removed from his personal custody. Sir Alexander had certainly given him to understand that he, Grey, was to be guardian to the girl; and here was he, after all he had done and risked, after he had died his hands in blood——Bah! that kind of thing would drive him mad. He must keep calm now if he did not wish to hang next month.
The young man continued: "That twenty thousand I want for putting this place to rights. I see already what I wish done to the grounds; before I leave I shall know what I want done to the building and furniture."
"By-and-by, I daresay," thought Grey, "you will find out what you want done with me."
The interview lasted little longer, and nothing of importance followed. As Grey went home that night he thought: