An early dinner was ordered, for the purpose of giving ample time in
the afternoon for the reading of the will.
Owing to the kind forbearance of each member of this little family,
their meeting with their guest at the table was not so awkward as it
might have been rendered. Mrs. Rocke had concealed the insults that
had been offered her; Traverse had said nothing of the affronts put
upon him. So that each, having only their own private injuries to
resent, felt free in forbearing. Nothing but this sort of prudence
on the part of individuals rendered their meeting around one board
possible.
While they were still at the table the attorney, Mr. Sauter, with
Doctors Williams and Dawson, arrived, and was shown into the
library.
And very soon after the dessert was put upon the table the family
left it and, accompanied by Colonel Le Noir, adjourned to the
library. After the usual salutations they arranged themselves along
each side of an extension table, at the head of which the attorney
placed himself.
In the midst of a profound silence the will was opened and read. It
was dated three years before.
The bulk of his estate, after the paying a few legacies, was left to
his esteemed brother-in-law, Gabriel Le Noir, in trust for his only
daughter, Clara Day, until the latter should attain the age of
twenty-one, at which period she was to come into possession of the
property.
Pages:
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27