property, and knew all along that it was to go to Captain Aylmer who,
indeed, was Mrs Winterfield's heir naturally. Mrs Winterfield was not
really my aunt, and I had no claim on her.'

'But everybody understood that she was to provide for you.'

'As I was not one of the everybodies myself, it will not signify.' Then
Mrs Folliott retreated, having, as she thought, performed her duty to
Clara, and contented herself henceforth with abusing Mrs Winterfield's
will in her own social circles at Taunton.

On the evening of that day, when all the visitors were gone and the
house was again quiet, Captain Aylmer thought it expedient to explain
to Clara the nature of his aunt's will, and the manner in which she
would be allowed to inherit under it the amount of money which her aunt
had intended to bequeath to her. When she became impatient and objected
to listen to him, he argued with her, pointing out to her that this was
a matter of business to which it was now absolutely necessary that she
should attend. 'It may be the case,' he said, 'and, indeed, I hope it
will, that no essential difference will be made by it except that it
will gratify you to know how careful she was of your interests in her
last moments. But you are bound in duty to learn your own position; and
I, as her executor, am bound to explain it to you. But perhaps you
would rather discuss it with Mr Palmer.'

'Oh no save me from that.'

'You must understand, then, that I shall pay over to you the sum of
fifteen hundred pounds as soon as the will has been proved.'