"Mr. Fortune," she returned, "it may be I know as much of my family
as you. I did not send for you to consult you, but to tell you how I
would have my will drawn up!"
"I beg your pardon, my lady," rejoined the lawyer, "but there are
things which may make it one's duty to speak out."
"Speak then; I will listen--that you may ease your mind."
He began a long, common-sense, worldly talk on the matter, nor once
repeated himself. When he stopped,--
"Now have you eased your mind?" she asked.
"I have, my lady."
"Then listen to me. There is no necessity you should hurt either
your feelings or your prejudices. If it goes against your conscience
to do as I wish, I will not trouble you."
Mr. Fortune bowed, took his instructions, and rose.
"When will you bring it me?" she asked.
"In the course of a week or two, my lady."
"If it is not in my hands by the day after to-morrow, I will send
for a gentleman from the town to prepare it."
"You shall have it, my lady," said Mr. Fortune.
She did have it, and it was signed and witnessed.
Then she sank more rapidly. Donal said no word about the marriage:
it should be as she pleased! He was much by her bedside, reading to
her when she was able to listen, talking to her or sitting silent
when she was not.
Arctura had at once told mistress Brookes the relation in which she
and Donal stood to each other.
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