"I don't see why it should. Sir Everard always gave me the impression of being a very just-dealing man. Of course you are aware that a fresh will will now have to be drawn up?"
"Does that follow as a matter of course?"
"As a matter of necessity. Sir Everard's marriage annuls any will he may have executed prior to that ceremony."
"Oh!"
"I may tell you in confidence, that up to the present I have received no instructions in the matter. By the way, do you know anything of the lady who has now the privilege of calling you her nephew?"
"Nothing whatever. I had never heard of her existence before I read her name in the newspaper."
"Well, we can only hope for the best. It is a poor philosophy which anticipates troubles that may never come to pass."
Then Mr. Garden handed Burgo a certain narrow slip of paper, for which the latter gave a receipt in the usual form. Then he rose to go.
"Sit down for a minute or two, Mr. Brabazon. I have not quite done with you yet," said the old lawyer. Burgo, wondering a little, did as he was told.
"In a certain communication which I received from your uncle a few days ago," resumed Mr. Garden, "among other matters he requested me to obtain from you a full and complete schedule of any debts that may be owing by you at the present time, and forward the same to him as early as possible. I presume," added Mr. Garden blandly, as he stared at Burgo over his spectacles, "that you young gentlemen about town are nearly always in debt?"