“So indeed it will, Mr. Markham,” replied the baronet; “and for that reason I wished to devolve the task on you, or any one else that would be kind enough to undertake it. I really cannot manage these affairs so well as some people can. I have already given a hint to the priest that is often calling at the house, but in truth there is very little in his look or manner that is likely to console the poor creatures. Do you know that priest, Mr. Markham?” “I believe,” replied Markham, “that I saw him this morning for the first time in my life; for as I was leaving the house, I met a gentleman of clerical and morose look, who appeared as if he was the bearer of ill tidings.” “Oh, very good, very good, he is the proper person to tell them. Well, but now, Mr. Markham, have you any idea of what will become of Mr. Martindale’s vast property? I am very much afraid that Price the lawyer will come in for a great share of it.” “Indeed, Sir Andrew,” said Markham, “I have never given the subject a moment’s thought; but I have no doubt that a man of such natural acuteness as Mr. Martindale would not suffer himself to be imposed on or deceived by a country attorney. But what reason have you for imagining any thing of the kind?” At this question Sir Andrew Featherstone shook his head and looked very wise; and he seemed pleased that Markham had given him an opportunity of entering upon the subject by way of explanation. “Now I will tell you,” said the busy baronet; “Mr. Martindale and I have been long acquainted with each other, and very good friends we used to be in our younger days; but when Mr. Martindale came into possession of his large property, he rather altered his behaviour and was more distant: however, I bore no malice, but called on him as before. In time this shyness wore off; and one day when I was with him at Brigland, soon after he had finished building the Abbey, he told me that he had just been making his will. He was always very fond of making wills. I suppose he may have made twenty or thirty wills in the course of his life. Well, sir, he had been making a will, and he wished me for one to witness the will. Now I could not help, very naturally you know, just giving a glance of curiosity over the sheets; and the old gentleman said to me in his usual, hasty manner, ‘Read the will, man, read it; I don’t wish you to put your hand to you know not what.’ So I read it over, and signed it. I observed that legacies are given to a very considerable amount; and at last this fellow Price was named as one of the executors and residuary-legatee. I could not help remarking to Mr. Martindale that I thought he had been over-liberal to his confidential solicitor; for I was almost sure that by this arrangement he would have at least one-half of the old gentleman’s property.” “But you do not mean, Sir Andrew, to say, that Mr. Martindale was not aware of the extent of his own property?” replied Markham.