"Several--to me," said Dalzell.

"Did you observe no one in particular?"

"Yes, a gentleman from Edinburgh, said to be a PROTEGE of your uncle's,
who took rather a prominent place on account of there being no male
relative surviving."

"Have you heard," said Jane, with an effort--"have you heard anything
of the will?"

"Nothing whatever--did not think it proper or delicate to inquire,
though I saw Mr. MacFarlane after it had been read. It is a matter of
no consequence to me how Mr. Hogarth has left his property. My feelings
will be quite the same towards----"

"Stop," said Jane; "my uncle has left his entire fortune to this
stranger from Edinburgh, who is his son by a private marriage. Elsie
and I have had an education, and must make the best we can of it."

"Miss Melville, this is incredible--quite incredible. You are
merely trying me. Mr. Hogarth was incapable of such madness and
injustice. It is not treating me well to play upon me in this way."

"In proof of what I say, here is a certified copy of the will--the
final will--executed six weeks ago, when, as you know, my uncle was
perfectly well both in body and mind. It is incontestable."

The bewildered young man tried to read the paper put into his hand, but
he could not follow the written words. Jane's sad face and her manner