He took up the article which he had come to seek, and kissing her again on the forehead, went away to his bedroom without further speech. 'What can he mean by all this about money?' said Mary to herself. 'It cannot be that by Sir Louis' death he will get any of all this property;' and then she began to bethink herself whether, after all, she would wish him to be a rich man. 'If he were very rich, he might do something to assist Frank; and then—'
There never was a fox yet without a tail who would not be delighted to find himself suddenly possessed of that appendage. Never; let the untailed fox have been ever so sincere in his advice to his friends! We are all of us, the good and the bad, looking for tails—for one tail, or for more than one; we do so too often by ways that are mean enough: but perhaps there is no tail-seeker more mean, more sneakingly mean, than he who looks out to adorn his bare back with a tail by marriage.
The doctor was up very early the next morning, long before Mary was ready with her teacups. He was up, and in his own study behind the shop, arranging dingy papers, pulling about tin boxes which he had brought down with him from London, and piling on his writing-table one set of documents in one place, and one in another. 'I think I understand it all,' said he; 'but yet I know I shall be bothered. Well, I never will be anybody's trustee again. Let me see!' and then he sat down, and with bewildered look recapitulated to himself sundry heavy items. 'What those shares are really worth I cannot understand, and nobody seems able to tell one. They must make it out among them as best they can. Let me see; that's Boxall Hill, and this is Greshamsbury. I'll put a newspaper over Greshamsbury, or the squire will know it!' and then, having made his arrangements, he went to his breakfast.
I know I am wrong, my much and truly-honoured critic, about these title-deeds and documents. But when we've got that barrister in hand, then if I go wrong after that, let the blame be on my own shoulders—or on his.
The doctor ate his breakfast quickly, and did not talk much to his niece. But what he did say was of a nature to make her feel strangely happy. She could not analyze her own feelings, or give a reason for her own confidence; but she certainly did feel, and even trust, that something was going to happen after breakfast which would make her more happy than she had been for many months.
'Janet,' said he, looking at his watch, 'if Mr. Gresham and Mr. Frank call, show them into my study. What are you going to do with yourself, my dear?'
