passed over his face as he replied, with a well-feigned air of
indifference, "You are altogether too sharp, Major. I must be on my
guard while you are in the house. Any new arrivals? I thought I heard a
carriage drive up not long ago."

"It was General Snowdon and his charming wife. Maurice Treherne came
while we were out, and I've not seen him yet, poor fellow!"

"Aye, you may well say that; his is a hard case, if what I heard is
true. I'm not booked up in the matter, and I should be, lest I make some
blunder here, so tell me how things stand, Major. We've a good half hour
before dinner. Sir Jasper is never punctual."

"Yes, you've a right to know, if you are going to try your fortune
with Octavia."

The major marched through the three drawing rooms to see that no
inquisitive servant was eavesdropping, and, finding all deserted, he
resumed his place, while young Annon lounged on a couch as he listened
with intense interest to the major's story.

"You know it was supposed that old Sir Jasper, being a bachelor, would
leave his fortune to his two nephews. But he was an oddity, and as the
title _must_ go to young Jasper by right, the old man said Maurice
should have the money. He was poor, young Jasper rich, and it seemed but
just, though Madame Mere was very angry when she learned how the will
was made."

"But Maurice didn't get the fortune. How was that?"