Lucy recoiled.
“To whom?”
“To Martin Howe.”
There was an oppressive pause.
“To Martin Howe?” the girl stammered at length. “But there must be some mistake.”
Mr. Benton met her gaze kindly. 255
“I fear there is no mistake, my dear young lady,” he said.
“Oh, I don’t mean because my aunt has cut me off,” Lucy explained with pride. “She of course had a right to do what she pleased. But to leave the property to Martin Howe! Why, she would scarcely speak to him.”
“So I have gathered,” the lawyer said. “That is what makes the will so remarkable.”
“It is preposterous! Martin will never accept it in the world.”