Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 13.pdf/586

 Leaves from an English Solicitor's Note-Book.

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fidence; told him how awkwardly I had been existence, and as your cousin lived here, and placed in having to draw the will so hastily, her husband controlled the business it and how unfortunately the will affected your seemed to me only natural that your aunt husband and yourself. If he knew of any should wish to leave everything to her. Re settlement in your favor he was bound in member, I never saw your aunt until that candor and courtesy to tell me of it." day, and knew nothing of her circumstances, "And he told you nothing, Mr. Borret? and there was no time to ask questions, even Nothing to give you any idea that there was if the poor lady could have answered them, any settlement or deed of gift which would which she could not have done." put another aspect on the matter?" "So, then, if your advice had been asked "Not a word. Have you any reason for you would have advised my aunt to leave believing that there is any such document in everything to my cousin?" existence?" "No; I do not say that. But I should have "Yes, of course there is a settlement," said advised your aunt that your cousin and her my visitor, now raising her veil. "But now husband ought not to be left entirely without I must ask your forgiveness for a piece of provision, and at the mercy of any one to •deception on my part. I see you have mis whom your aunt might feel disposed to leave taken me for my Cousin Mary. I am Emma her property generally. But it is useless Simpson. I arrived here early this morning thinking now what I should have done if I and saw my cousin. I found her of course had known all the circumstances. I feel sure in great grief at the idea of everything having that the will carries out your aunt's last been left away from her and her husband; wishes, and I can only hope from the words but for reasons of my own I did not tell of which fell from you that your cousin is al the existence of any settlement until I felt ready provided for by some settlement. If sure about it. I called to see Mr. Maule be not I shall certainly feel bound to urge a plea fore calling on you, but his answers to me on her behalf that you will give her and her were so vague and unsatisfactory, and he husband every reasonable indulgence and seemed so very anxious to put you in a ample time to turn round and find some wrong position and to throw blame on you, other home for themselves." "Mr. Borret, I fully appreciate the good which I felt was not deserved, that I resolved to come to see you myself. I saw that you feeling which prompts you to plead my mistook me for my Cousin Mary, and I cousin's cause with me, but I assure you thought I would not undeceive you until I there is no necessity." At this moment I heard a loud voice out had learned from you exactly how she and her husband were placed. Settlement, of side, which I recognized as that of Mr. course there is a settlement, and a very Maule, in a personal wrangle with my clerk. proper one under the circumstances. What "I insist upon going into Mr. Borret's room was Mr. Maule thinking of not to tell you all at once, he has no right to see any client of about it! But tell me, Mr. Borret, how came mine behind my back, his conduct is most you to make such a will, leaving everything unprofessional." And in another moment the to me, when you knew I had a cousin living door was flung open and in walked Mr. in the town who is as much entitled to my Maule. I rose at once, and offered him a chair, aunt's bounty as I am?" "There is nothing like perfect candor, Mrs. saying as I did so, "I overheard your last Simpson. I confess at once that when I saw remark, sir, but I hope we shall neither of us that unfinished letter of your aunt's I thought forget the courtesy which is due to the pres that Mrs. Simpson, of High Street, was the ence of a lady." "Courtesy be hanged, Mr. Borret. What intended legatee; I did not know of your