Nowell, having
no one else to whom to leave his money, would end by leaving it all to
him. And here was a granddaughter, sprung from goodness knows where, to
cheat him out of all his chances. He had always suspected Gilbert Fenton
of being a dangerous sort of person, and it was no doubt he who had
brought about this introduction, to the annihilation of Mr. Tulliver's
hopes. This young man took his place in a vacant chair by the fire, as if
determined to stop; while Marian seated herself quietly by the sleeper's
pillow, thinking only of that one occupant of the room, and supposing
that Mr. Tulliver's presence was a mark of fidelity.
The old man woke with a start presently, and looked about him in a slow
bewildered way for some moments.
"Who's that?" he asked presently, pointing to the figure by the hearth.
"It's only Mr. Tulliver, sir," the widow answered. "He's so anxious about
you, poor young man."
"I don't want him," said Jacob Nowell impatiently. "I don't want his
anxiety; I want to be alone with my granddaughter."
"Don't send me away, sir," Mr. Tulliver pleaded in a piteous tone. "I
don't deserve to be sent away like a stranger, after serving you
faithfully for the last ten years----"
"And being well paid for your services," gasped the old man. "I tell you
I don't want you.
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