I think I
am justified in saying that that time had arrived, that death
interposed at an unfortunate moment as regards such plans. I wished
only to put the point before you, as one within my own knowledge. Is
there any question you would like to ask me at present, Mrs. Otway?"
The widow shook her head (and her funeral trappings). Thereupon
sounded Piers Otway's voice.
"I should like to say that as I have no legal claim whatever upon my
father's estate, I do not wish to put forward a claim of any other
kind. Let that be understood at once."
There was silence. They heard the waters of the beck rushing over
its stony channel. For how many thousand years had the beck so
murmured? For how many thousand would it murmur still?
"As the eldest son," then observed Daniel, with his Oxford accent,
and a sub-note of feeling, "I desire to say that my brother"--he
generously emphasised the word--"has expressed himself very well,
in the spirit of a gentleman. Perhaps I had better say no more at
this moment. We shall have other opportunities of--of considering
this point."
"Decidedly," remarked Alexander, who sat with legs crossed. "We'll
talk it over."
And he nodded with a good-natured smile in Piers' direction.
Later in the day--a family council having been held at which Piers
was not present--Daniel led the young man apart.
"You insist on leaving Hawes to-night? Well, perhaps it is best.
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