"Here is a letter from a man to his lawyer, in which he gives him instructions to make certain alterations in his will, stating reasons why he wishes those alterations to be made. It is signed, dated; its authenticity can be readily established. I am not sure that it has not a certain testamentary value."
"Are you suggesting that that letter in any way affects my uncle's will?"
"I am not prepared to give a definite opinion; but this I will say, that if its existence were to come to the knowledge of the societies herein mentioned, they would be justified in taking counsel's opinion, and quite possibly he would advise their taking further action."
"You are, of course, at liberty to take any steps with regard to that tissue of libels you please, especially as I have made it, I think, perfectly clear to you that you will do so at your own proper peril."
"Evidently your uncle was averse to your marrying his daughter. Am I to take it that you admit so much?"
"Oh, I admit so much; he always was averse to that."
"Then, in that case, you will at once resolve the difficulty by withdrawing all pretensions to Miss Patterson's hand."
"Damn your impudence, sir."
"Is that your answer?"
"It is; with this addition--that I hope, and intend, to marry Miss Patterson at the earliest possible moment."
"Then, in that case, you leave me no option but to place this letter before Miss Patterson."
"Is that meant for a threat?"
Andrews appeared in the doorway to announce that Mr. Parmiter was in the outer office.
"Show Mr. Parmiter in at once for a few minutes, Andrews, if you please."
As the young solicitor came in Rodney advanced to greet him.
"Hallo, Parmiter! you come in the very nick of time--you see Mr.
Wilkes has favoured me with his company again. Mr. Wilkes, read to Mr.
Parmiter the letter you just now read to me."
"I shall certainly do nothing of the kind. With all possible respect to Mr. Parmiter, this is a matter in which he has no _locus standi_, and in which I cannot recognise him at all."
"Why not? He is my solicitor; he advises me. When you have made known to him the contents of that letter, don't you think it possible that he may give me the advice which, apparently, you would like him to give?"
While he was still speaking the door opened to admit Miss Patterson.
He moved to her with both hands held out.
"Now, here is someone whom, I presume, you will recognise--the very person. Gladys, here is Mr. Wilkes. He has something which he very much wishes to say to you."
Returning the letter to its envelope, Mr. Wilkes rose from his chair.
"My hands are not going to be forced by you, Mr. Elmore, don't you suppose it. In making any communication to Miss Patterson which I may have to make, I shall prefer to choose my own time and place."
"That's it, is it? I quite appreciate the reasons which actuate you, Mr. Wilkes, in wishing to make what you call your communication to Miss Patterson behind my back; and I think that Miss Patterson will appreciate them equally well. Mr. Wilkes has in his hand what he claims to be a letter from your father. If you take my advice you will insist on his showing it to you at once."
Miss Patterson was quick to act on the hint which her lover gave her.
She moved close up to the lawyer.
"Mr. Wilkes, be so good as to let me see the letter to which my cousin refers."
"With pleasure, Miss Patterson, at--if you will allow me to say so--some more convenient season; the sooner the better. For instance, may I have a few minutes' private conversation with you this afternoon? The matter on which I wish to speak to you is for your ear only."
"You have spoken of it to my cousin?"
"Oh, yes; he has spoken of it to me."
"Then, why can you not speak of it to me in his presence?"
"I will write to you on the subject, Miss Patterson, and will endeavour to make my reasons clear."
He made as if to move towards the door. She placed herself in front of him.
"One moment, Mr. Wilkes. Any letter from you will be handed to Mr.
Elmore, unopened. I will have no private communication with you, nor, if I can help it, will I have any communication with you of any sort or kind."
"I regret to hear you say so, Miss Patterson, and can only deplore the attitude of mind which prompts you to arrive at what I cannot but feel is a most unfortunate decision."
"You are impertinent, Mr. Wilkes."
The lawyer, with his dark eyes fixed on the lady's face, raised the hand in which was the envelope which contained the letter with the intention of slipping it into an inner pocket of his coat. Her quick glance recognised the handwriting of the address.
"It's from dad!" she cried. "It's a letter from dad!"
She had snatched the letter from between the lawyer's fingers before he had the faintest inkling of what she was about to do.
"Miss Patterson," he exclaimed, "give me back that letter."
She retreated, as he showed a disposition to advance. Mr. Elmore interposed himself between the lawyer and the lady.
"Steady, Mr. Wilkes, steady. You told me that it would be your duty to place that letter in Miss Patterson's hands. It is in her hands. What objection have you to offer?"
Whatever protest the lawyer might have been inclined to make he apparently came to the conclusion that, at the moment, it would be futile to make any. He withdrew himself from Elmore's immediate neighbourhood, and observed the lady, as she read the letter. She read it without comment to the end. Then she asked:
"When did you get this letter?"
"It reached my office last night, and me this morning; but, as you see, it was written on Sunday, and would appear to have been delayed in the post."
She turned to Rodney.
"Have you read this letter?"
"It has been read aloud to me, which comes to the same thing."
"You know--what he says at the end?"
"I do; Mr. Wilkes took special care of that."