When I reached the hall, I regretted that I had not asked him to state distinctly what arrangements the will made so nearly affecting, as it seemed, my relations with my uncle Silas, and for a moment I thought of returning and requesting an explanation. But then, I bethought me, it was not very long to wait till one o'clock--so _he_, at least, would think. I went up-stairs, therefore, to the 'school-room,' which we used at present as a sitting-room, and there I found Cousin Monica awaiting me. 'Are you quite well, dear?' asked Lady Knollys, as she came to meet and kiss me. 'Quite well, Cousin Monica.' 'No nonsense, Maud! you're as white as that handkerchief--what's the matter? Are you ill--are you frightened? Yes, you're trembling--you're terrified, child.' 'I believe I _am_ afraid. There _is_ something in poor papa's will about Uncle Silas--about _me_. I don't know--Doctor Bryerly says, and he seems so uncomfortable and frightened himself, I am sure it is something very bad. I am _very_ much frightened--I am--I _am_. Oh, Cousin Monica! you won't leave me?' So I threw my arms about her neck, clasping her very close, and we kissed one another, I crying like a frightened child--and indeed in experience of the world I was no more. CHAPTER XXIV _THE OPENING OF THE WILL_ Perhaps the terror with which I anticipated the hour of one, and the disclosure of the unknown undertaking to which I had bound myself, was irrational and morbid. But, honestly, I doubt it; my tendency has always been that of many other weak characters, to act impetuously, and afterwards to reproach myself for consequences which I have, perhaps, in reality, had little or no share in producing. It was Doctor Bryerly's countenance and manner in alluding to a particular provision in my father's will that instinctively awed me. I have seen faces in a nightmare that haunted me with an indescribable horror, and yet I could not say wherein lay the fascination. And so it was with his--an omen, a menace, lurked in its sallow and dismal glance. 'You must not be so frightened, darling,' said Cousin Monica. 'It is foolish; it _is, really_; they can't cut off your head, you know: they can't really harm you in any essential way. If it involved a risk of a little money, you would not mind it; but men are such odd creatures--they measure all sacrifices by money. Doctor Bryerly would look just as you describe, if you were doomed to lose 500_l_., and yet it would not kill you.' A companion like Lady Knollys is reassuring; but I could not take her comfort altogether to heart, for I felt that she had no great confidence in it herself. There was a little French clock over the mantelpiece in the school-room, which I consulted nearly every minute. It wanted now but ten minutes of one. 'Shall we go down to the drawing-room, dear?' said Cousin Knollys, who was growing restless like me.