Hush!" she went on, as Mrs. Mallathorpe
tried to speak again. "I will know!"
"Yes!" answered Eldrick. "Esther Mawson knows them. She read the will
carefully. She told Prydale just now what they were. With the exception
of three legacies of ten thousand pounds each to your mother, your
brother, and yourself, John Mallathorpe left everything he possessed to
the town of Barford for an educational trust."
"Then," asked Nesta quietly, as she made a peremptory sign to her mother
to be silent, "we--never had any right to be here--at all?"
"I'm afraid not," replied Eldrick.
"Then of course we shall go," said Nesta. "That's certain! Do you hear
that, mother? That's my decision. It's final!"
"You can do what you like," retorted Mrs. Mallathorpe sullenly. "I am
not going to be frightened by anything that Esther Mawson says. Nor by
what you say!" she continued, turning on Eldrick. "All that has got to
be proved. Who can prove it? What can prove it? Do you think I am going
to give up my rights without fighting for them? I shall swear that every
word of Esther Mawson's is a lie! No one can bring forward a will that
doesn't exist. And what concern is it of yours, Mr. Eldrick? What right
have you?"
"You are quite right, Mrs. Mallathorpe," said Eldrick. "It is no concern
of mine. And so----"
He turned to the door--and as he turned the door opened, to admit the
old butler who looked apologetically but earnestly at Nesta as he
stepped forward.
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