Part 45 (1/2)
”You're very kind, but pray, explain why.”
”I find that you are heir to a considerable fortune.”
Miles was somewhat interested in this, and asked, ”How's that?”
”Well, you remember Hardy's will, which you put into my hands a few days ago?”
”Yes; what then? _That_ can't be the fortune!”
”Indeed it is. Hardy, you remember, made you his residuary legatee. I find, on inquiry, that the old cousin you told me about, who meant to leave all his money to build a hospital, changed his mind at the last and made out a will in favour of Hardy, who was his only relative. So, you see, you, being Hardy's heir, have come into possession of something like two thousand a year.”
To this Miles replied by a whistle of surprise, and then said, ”Is that all?”
”Upon my word, sir,” said the `kind little lawyer,' in a blaze of astonishment, ”you appear to take this communication in a peculiar manner!”
”You mistake me,” returned Miles, with a laugh. ”I don't mean `is that all the fortune?' but `is that all you have to say?'”
”It is, and to my mind I have said a good deal.”
”You certainly have. And, believe me, I am not indifferent or unthankful, but--but--the fact is, that at present I am _particularly_ engaged. Good-bye, and thank you.”
So saying, Miles shook the puzzled old gentleman heartily by the hand, and hurried back to his anchorage in the hall.
”I've done it, mother!” whispered Miles, two days thereafter, in the privacy of the Inst.i.tute reading-room.
”Miles!” said the startled lady, with a reproachful look, ”I thought you said that nothing would induce you--”
”Circ.u.mstances have altered, mother. I have had a long consultation with your `kind little lawyer,' and he has related some interesting facts to me.”
Here followed a detailed account of the facts.
”So, you see, I went and proposed at once--not to the lawyer--to Marion.”
”And was accepted?”
”Well--yes. I could hardly believe it at the time. I scarcely believe it now, so I'm going back this afternoon to make quite sure.”
”I congratulate you, my darling boy, for a good wife is G.o.d's best gift to man.”
”How do you know she is good, mother?”
”I know it, because--I know it! Anybody looking in her face can _see_ it. And with two thousand a year, why--”