The lawyer knew his client. He knew his whims and wisely humored his eccentricities. It needed but little encouragement and flattery to set Rufus Grim going, recounting the steps he had carved out for himself on life’s journey, and the pinnacle to which he had climbed. Arthur Boast came in and took a seat in the outer room, Grim requested the lawyer to close the door, and asked him what he let that young scoundrel come about the premises for. Then he seemed to remember that he was the victor, and why should he still hold malice? After a little, he again referred to the matter of changing his will, and when the lawyer was ready, he [210] dictated a codicil bequeathing all his possessions unconditionally to Bertha Allen, to which he attached his signature. The lawyer showed no signs of astonishment at Rufus Grim’s action, though he guessed the relationship that existed between his client and Bertha Allen. That evening a clandestine meeting between Bertha and her cousin, Arthur Boast, had been arranged. 9218 Her first words, after the greeting and a kiss of welcome, were in regard to the ordeal she had passed through with Mr. Grim. “To think, Arthur,” lisped Bertha, “of that old fool asking me to be his wife! Why, I really thought I would die, I did indeed!” “And what did you say?” asked Boast. “Why, you sweet old darling, what could I say but give him to understand that perhaps I was willing? I told him to wait a year, and then—.” “Yes, and then?” hissed Arthur, through his teeth. “Oh, don’t be foolish, my own darling,” said she, slipping her arms about his neck, “you know I was only pretending; you know that I loathe him, but I have been dependent on his bounty for so many years. I am only too ready, Arthur, to go with you; yes, to the ends of the earth.” She caressed him tenderly, and Arthur’s ill-feeling gave way before her tender entreaties. He had heard Rufus Grim dictating the codicil to his will, and had been fired with a mad jealousy, but she had confessed all at their first meeting, and he felt relieved. He would not tell her of the codicil to the will; no, not now. [211] “We must not delay our marriage much longer,” said Bertha, sweetly, “we really must not, Arthur; you must save me from that old bear. Oh, how I hate him!” “Did he attempt to caress you?” asked Arthur. “Yes,” replied Bertha, slowly, “but he only kissed me once.” “Only kissed you once!” cried Arthur, and with a savage oath he pushed her from him. “Arthur, you’ll break my heart,” she cried in stifled pain, and creeping closer to him she clasped his arm with both her hands. “He kissed me on the forehead. How could I help it? He is so overbearing and so determined—I did not know but he would turn me away from his home unless I humored and fooled him. Won’t you forgive me? How could I help it?”