“Are you sure of this, Norris?” cried Chetwynd, astounded.
“Quite sure, sir,” replied the old butler. “I have read the will myself, most carefully. As I have already said, the best thing that can happen to you is that your step-mother should marry again. But will she make this sacrifice? I fear not.”
“Can she be aware of the proviso you have mentioned, Norris?”
“Impossible to say,” rejoined the old butler. “I should think so. She has the will in her possession. I. do not see how it can fail to act as a bar to a second marriage, unless she comes to some arrangement with Miss Mildred.”
“That she will never do,” said Chetwynd. “My sister, I am certain, will never surrender her rights to her.”
“Has the matter been broached to Miss Mildred?” inquired Norris.
“Impossible, or I should have heard of it.”
“Then nothing is left Mrs. Calverley but to break off the match, and that is the point from which I started,” said Norris.
“It is incomprehensible she should have allowed the affair to proceed so far,” said Chetwynd. “I am altogether perplexed. But I will have an early interview with my sister this morning, and hear what she has to say. Something must be done forthwith. She cannot give a tacit assent to the arrangement.”
At this moment Rose Hartley appeared at the open window, and Chetwynd called her in.