"I wish I had known my uncle better. He must have had the heart of a
king. I never heard of such generosity as he has shown me. Mr.
Trent, I see, from the conditions of this memorandum, or codicil, or
whatever it is, that I am to declare within a week as to whether I
accept the conditions imposed on me. Now, I want you to tell me
this: must I wait a week to declare?" In answer, I told him that
the testator's intention was manifestly to see that he had full time
to consider fully every point before making formal decision and
declaration. But, in answer to the specific question, I could answer
that he might make declaration when he would, provided it was WITHIN,
or rather not after, the week named. I added:

"But I strongly advise you not to act hurriedly. So enormous a sum
is involved that you may be sure that all possible efforts will be
made by someone or other to dispossess you of your inheritance, and
it will be well that everything shall be done, not only in perfect
order, but with such manifest care and deliberation that there can be
no question as to your intention."

"Thank you, sir," he answered; "I shall do as you shall kindly advise
me in this as in other things. But I may tell you now--and you, too,
my dear Sir Colin--that I not only accept my Uncle Roger's conditions
in this, but that when the time comes in the other matters I shall
accept every condition that he had in his mind--and that I may know
of--in everything." He looked exceedingly in earnest, and it gave me
much pleasure to see and hear him. It was just what a young man
should do who had seen so generously treated. As the time had now
come, I gave him the bulky letter addressed to him, marked "D" which
I had in my safe. As I fulfilled my obligation in the matter, I
said: