I turned my eyes on my cousin Monica--I felt so inexpressibly relieved--expecting to see a corresponding expression in her countenance. But I was startled. She looked ghastly and angry. I stared in her face, not knowing what to think. Could the will have personally disappointed her? Such doubts, though we fancy in after-life they belong to maturity and experience only, do sometimes cross our minds in youth. But the suggestion wronged Lady Knollys, who neither expected nor wanted anything, being rich, childless, generous, and frank. It was the unexpected character of her countenance that scared me, and for a moment the shock called up corresponding moral images. Lady Knollys, starting up, raised her head, so as to see over Mr. Sleigh's shoulder, and biting her pale lip, she cleared her voice and demanded-- 'Doctor Bryerly, pray, sir, is the reading concluded?' 'Concluded? Quite. Yes, nothing more,' he answered with a nod, and continued his talk with Mr. Danvers and Abel Grimston. 'And to whom,' said Lady Knollys, with an effort, 'will the property belong, in case--in case my little cousin here should die before she comes of age?' 'Eh? Well--wouldn't it go to the heir-at-law and next of kin?' said Doctor Bryerly, turning to Abel Grimston. 'Ay--to be sure,' said the attorney, thoughtfully. 'And who is that?' pursued my cousin. 'Well, her uncle, Mr. Silas Ruthyn. He's both heir-at-law and next of kin,' pursued Abel Grimston. 'Thank you,' said Lady Knollys. Doctor Clay came forward, bowing very low, in his standing collar and single-breasted coat, and graciously folded my hand in his soft wrinkled grasp-- 'Allow me, my dear Miss Ruthyn, while expressing my regret that we are to lose you from among our little flock--though I trust but for a short, a very short time--to say how I rejoice at the particular arrangement indicated by the will we have just heard read. My curate, William Fairfield, resided for some years in the same spiritual capacity in the neighbourhood of your, I will say, admirable uncle, with occasional intercourse with whom he was favoured--may I not say blessed?--a true Christian Churchman--a Christian gentleman. Can I say more? A most happy, happy choice.' A very low bow here, with eyes nearly closed, and a shake of the head. 'Mrs. Clay will do herself the honour of waiting upon you, to pay her respects, before you leave Knowl for your temporary sojourn in another sphere.' So, with another deep bow--for I had become a great personage all at once--he let go my hand cautiously and delicately, as if he were setting down a curious china tea-cup. And I courtesied low to him, not knowing what to say, and then to the assembly generally, who all bowed. And Cousin Monica whispered, briskly, 'Come away,' and took my hand with a very cold and rather damp one, and led me from the room. CHAPTER XXV _I HEAR FROM UNCLE SILAS_