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 way from Hamworth to Groby Park. And if you should succeed’

‘If I am to look at this document, I must do so without pledging myself to anything,’ said Mr. Mason, still with much solemnity. He had great doubts as to his new acquaintance, and much feared that he was derogating from his dignity as a county magistrate and owner of Groby Park in holding any personal intercourse with him; but nevertheless he could not resist the temptation. He most firmly believed that that codicil had not expressed the genuine last will and fair disposition of property made by his father, and it might certainly be the case that proof of all that he believed was to be found among the papers of the old lawyer. He hated Lady Mason with all his power of hatred, and if there did, even yet, exist for him a chance of upsetting her claims and ruining her before the world, he was not the man to forego that chance.

‘Well, sir, you shall see it,’ said Mr. Dockwrath; ‘or rather hear it, for there is not much to see.’ And so saying he extracted from his pocket-book a very small bit of paper.

‘I should prefer to read it, if it’s all the same to you, Mr. Dockwrath. I shall understand it much better in that way.’

‘As you like, Mr. Mason,’ said the attorney, handing him the small bit of paper. ‘You will understand, sir, that it’s no real copy, but only a few dates and particulars, just jotted down to assist my own memory.’ The document, supported by which Mr. Dockwrath had come down to Yorkshire, consisted of half a sheet of note paper, and the writing upon this covered hardly the half of it. ‘The words which Mr. Mason read were as follows:—

‘Date of codicil. 14th July 18—.

‘Witnesses to the instrument. John Kenneby; Bridget Bolster; Jonathan Usbech. N.B. Jonathan Usbech died before the testator,

‘Mason and Martock. Deed of separation; dated 14th July 18—.

‘Executed at Orley Farm.

‘Witnesses John Kenneby; and Bridget Bolster. Deed was prepared in the office of Jonathan Usbech, and probably executed in his presence.’

That was all that was written on the paper, and Mr. Mason read the words to himself three times before he looked up, or said anything concerning them. He was not a man quick at receiving new ideas into his mind, or of understanding new points; but that which had once become intelligible to him and been made his own, remained so always. ‘Well,’ said he, when he read the above words for the third time.

‘You don’t see it, sir?’ said Mr. Dockwrath.

‘See what?’ said Mr. Mason, still looking at the scrap of paper.

‘Why; the dates, to begin with.’