Orley Farm

weight on Lady Mason's mind. They say that the pith of a lady's letter is in the postscript, and it may be that that which remained for Lady Mason to say, was

ain putting down his

ght nervous hesitation with which she began to speak, that she was much in earnest as to this other matter. And had he been clever in his powers of obs

seph's will? Yes; I

t you showed me," said she. "I don't know how I should

t about

oing to have f

he case again? It is not possible after such a lapse of t

he will give me trouble if he can. But I will tell you the whole story, Sir Peregrine. It is not much, and

ll enough; and to tell the truth I do not think

the manner in which the two fields had been ta

held land so long it should not be taken away from him excep

tainly; and now, I fear, he is deter

ry can Mr. Doc

arching through some papers of old Mr. Usbech's before he went. Indeed, I may say that I know as a

w it as

k I may

may I ask you how you

some feeling of shame as she disclosed the sour

the tale against

ld willingly obtain information in such a manner. But you must understand that I have always been her friend; and when she found that

Lady Mason and the attorney's wife. He thought it would be better that Mr. Dockwrath should be allowed to do his worst, if he had any intention of doing evil, and that Lad

hen said, appealing to him; and there was a tone

ou have done wrong. It may be a que

done wisely, seeing that I had not you to direct me. But what shall I do now? Oh, Sir

t you, Lady Mason; yo

est f

s I received some legal summons which made it necessary for me to do so. I have not the honour of any personal acquaintance with Mr. Mason of Groby Park." It was in this way that Sir Peregrine always designa

anything fo

is prey. And in this matter, what can he possibly do? He has the decision of the jury

ssible to know what documents h

d, there should turn out to be a will subsequent t

e was no subs

ourself. It is just possible that some attempt may be made now

ise me then to say any

her information. Mrs. Dockwrath is, I am sure, a very good sort of woman. Indeed I have always heard so. But, if I were you, I don't think that I should feel inclined to have much conversation with her about my private affai

asked you to com

f I have been of a

of course I cannot trouble Lucius with these matters; nor can a man, gifted as you are, comprehe

t only on her income but on her honesty, she had never seemed to tremble. She had always been constant to herself, even whe

, as you have promised that

hom I have once regarded with esteem and affection; among whom Lady Mason will, I am sure, allow me to say that s

his pretty scene could therefore be enacted without impropriety on either side. Sir Peregrine then went, and as he passed out of the door Lady Mason smiled on him very sweetly. It is quite true

f such was the case her heart surely was very sad. She sat there perfectly still for nearly an hour, and during the whole of that time there was the same look of agony on her brow. Once or twice she rubbed her hands across her f

to her present mood. But there was sorrow at her heart, and deep thought in her mind. She knew that her enemies were cons

her heart, and deep

to E

l those papers-in old days before she had become Mrs. Dockwrath. Her friend, Lady Mason, had counselled her to do so, pointing out to her that they were troublesome, and could by no possibility lead to profit; but she had c

as not an idle threat. She knew nothing of what the box had contained; and now, even if it had not been kept safe from her under Samuel's private key, the contents w

whining, household voice. Her voice at home was always sad and whining, for she was ov

am, I positively insist that you do not go to Orley Farm, o

d probably also had no real objection to her doing so. Had he in truth wished to keep his proceedings secret from Lady Mason he would not have divulged them to his

rance that he would not desert her; and that she had obtained. It was of course also necessary that she should consult him; but in turning over within her own mind this and that line of conduct, she did not, consciously, attach any weight to Sir Peregrine's opinion. The great question for her to decide was this;-should she put herself and her case into the hands of her friend Mr.

her mind that she would do nothing mor