Only something to do--even if--
"Ma'am!" called the voice once more, and then she composed herself and went.
She knew him very well, the old gentleman who came towards her with a kind smile, but she could not speak a word to him. She could only wave her hand silently towards the nearest chair. He knew what the matter was, let him begin the dreadful conversation.
"You wish for my advice, Mrs. Linden, in this difficult matter?"
"Yes, I wish you to act for me," she said, looking past him into the corner of the room, "and I wish above all that Mr. Linden should be informed of the decision I have come to. I will leave him in possession of my whole fortune with the exception of this house, and the capital that is invested in my brother-in-law's factory."
She said the words hurriedly, as if she had learned them by heart.
"Are you quite in earnest about it then?" asked the old man.
Her eyes blazed out at him.
"Do you think I would jest on such a sorrowful subject?"
"And you think your husband will agree?"