'They have come about law business, Dolly!' enquired the young lady, who had a profound, instinctive dread of Mr. Larkin. 'Yes, my dear; a most important windfall. Only for Mr. Larkin, it never could have been accomplished, and, indeed, I don't think it would ever have been thought of.' 'I hope he has some one to advise him,' said Miss Lake, anxiously. 'I--I think Mr. Larkin a very cunning person; and you know your husband does not understand business.' 'Is it Mr. Larkin, my dear? Mr. Larkin! Why, my dear, if you knew him as we do, you'd trust your life in his hands.' 'But there are people who know him still better; and I think they fancy he is a very crafty man. I do not like him myself, and Dorcas Brandon dislikes him too; and, though I don't think we could either give a reason--I don't know, Dolly, but I should not like to trust him.' 'But, my dear, he is an excellent man, and such a friend, and he has managed all this most troublesome business so delightfully. It is what they call a reversion.' 'William Wylder is not selling his reversion?' said Rachel, fixing a wild and startled look on her companion. 'Yes, reversion, I am sure, is the name. And why not, dear? It is most unlikely we should ever get a farthing of it any other way, and it will give us enough to make us quite happy.' 'But, my darling, don't you know the reversion under the will is a great _fortune_? He must not think of it;' and up started Rachel, and before Dolly could interpose or remonstrate, she had crossed the little hall, and entered the homely study, where the gentlemen were conferring. William Wylder was sitting at his desk, and a large sheet of law scrivenery, on thick paper, with a stamp in the corner, was before him. The bald head of the attorney, as he leaned over him, and indicated an imaginary line with his gold pencil-case, was presented toward Miss Lake as she entered. The attorney had just said '_there_, please,' in reply to the vicar's question, 'Where do I write my name?' and red Buggs, grinning with his mouth open, like an over-heated dog, and the sad and bilious young gentleman, stood by to witness the execution of the cleric's autograph. Tall Jos. Larkin looked up, smiling with his mouth also a little open, as was his wont when he was particularly affable. But the rat's eyes were looking at her with a hungry suspicion, and smiled not. 'William Wylder, I am so glad I'm in time,' said Rachel, rustling across the room. '_There_,' said the attorney, very peremptorily, and making a little furrow in the thick paper with the seal end of his pencil. 'Stop, William Wylder, don't sign; I've a word to say--you _must_ pause.' 'If it affects our business, Miss Lake, I do request that you address yourself to me; if not, may I beg, Miss Lake, that you will defer it for a moment.' 'William Wylder, lay down that pen; as you love your little boy, lay it _down_, and hear me,' continued Miss Lake.