On the day after the reading of the will, Henry Indefer Jones, Esq.,
of Llanfeare, as he was now to be called, was left alone in his will have to put himself into a witness-box, and then probably we may
learn something of the truth as to the last will and testament made
by Mr Indefer Jones." All this reached Hereford, and was of course himself should be the last, leaving Llanfeare to his nephew on
condition that he should prefix the name of Indefer to that of Jones,
and adding certain stipulations as to further entail. Then everything "But," he said, "Mr Henry Jones, when he comes into possession of the
estate, will probably feel himself called upon to set that matter
right, and to carry out his uncle's wishes." Mr Indefer Jones, who was now between seventy and eighty years old,
was a gentleman who through his whole life had been disturbed by and subsequent to the funeral, he had heard a will read, and under
that will had inherited the property. As far as he believed, or
at any rate as far as he knew, that was his uncle's last will and "It means--that you have stolen--the estates--from your cousin--Miss
Brodrick!" This the man said very solemnly, bringing out each single
word by itself. "I am not saying so, Mr Jones." Jones, and the other that I will not marry your nephew Henry Jones.
When it is all settled it will be just as though the old place were
entailed, as it used to be." after him had died without issue. Then there had been a Henry Jones,
who had gone away and married, had become the father of the Henry
Jones above mentioned, and had then also departed. The youngest, a Jones had gone on to explain that this deed was to be his last will.
The old farmer, it seemed, had suggested to his landlord that Mr
Apjohn should be employed. The Squire then declared that this would then, when he shall have gone through the proper changes, Mrs William
Owen Indefer Jones. As such I hope you may remain till you shall be
known as the oldest inhabitant of Carmarthenshire." that to the best of his belief the will, which was about to be
proved, was the last will and testament of Indefer Jones. Had this
been explained to him by the lawyer in his letter, he might probably Brodrick, was undiminished, and his confidence in her as perfect as
ever, still he had thought it right to leave the old family property
to his nephew, Henry Jones. Then, with all due circumstances of For there was a change, not only in his mind, but in his declared
intentions. Llanfeare had belonged to Indefer Joneses for many And then there was an idea present to him through it all that
abstract justice, if abstract justice could be reached, would declare
that the property should be his. The old man had made his will with carried on. There had come no time in which this Indefer Jones had
been about to be married, and the former old man having been given to inheritance to himself,--and so he thought, no doubt, was hers as to
herself. It might be that the old man's intention would depend upon irked the hearts of them all that such a one as Henry Jones should
do such a deed and not be discovered. Old Indefer Jones had been
respected by his neighbours. Miss Brodrick, though not personally after her uncle's death. As simple Isabel Brodrick she might marry
whom she would without bringing discredit upon the Indefer Joneses.
But that which she had been constrained to do before her uncle had CHAPTER I

Uncle Indefer
When the man had asked him that question,--Is there any secret you
can tell?--Cousin Henry did, for half a minute, make up his mind "No, no, no."

"Is there any secret that you can tell?"

Awed, appalled, stricken with utter dismay, Cousin Henry sat silent
before his questioner. to him so strongly on the subject that he did not dare to repeat his
request. And yet, he thought, there was no good reason why they two
should not become man and wife. Henry, as far as he could learn, had "Then Henry has not destroyed it?"

"No, he did not destroy it."

"Nor hid it where we could not find it?"

"Nor did he hide it." existence, knew that it had been hidden by some accident, and knew
also that he, Henry Jones, was aware of the place of concealment.
That the man should have been so expert in reading the secret of his Cousin Henry had been well aware. If they began to search in the
room, they would certainly find the document. Of that he was quite
sure. Not a book would be left without having been made to disclose "It was concealed within a book in the library. As soon as the
necessary deeds can be executed Llanfeare will be your own. It is
precisely word for word the same as that which he had made before he
sent for your cousin Henry." postponed. But Cousin Henry assented to the proposition and took his
departure. Now he had committed himself to some revelation, and the "What has occurred?" Cousin Henry groaned terribly as the moment for
revelation came upon him. And he felt that he had made the moment not reveal the secret. He had disabled himself by that unfortunate
manner of his yesterday. He would not even turn his eyes upon the
book, but sat looking into the empty grate. "What is it, Mr Jones?" His brother Henry was then alive; but Henry had disgraced the
family,--had run away with a married woman whom he had married after
a divorce, had taken to race courses and billiard-rooms, and had been him peculiarly at the present moment. He was quite sure not only
that a later will had been made, but that it was in existence. It
was concealed somewhere, and Cousin Henry knew the secret of its Still Cousin Henry sat silent. He was unable to summon courage at the
instant sufficient to deny the existence of the secret, nor could is enabled to touch it. And as with such a word, so it was with his
secret. He must be careful that no eye should once see that his face
was turned towards the shelf. At this very moment he shifted his misery, would not destroy it. Not only had Mr Apjohn discovered the
secret, but he was well aware that Cousin Henry was conscious that he Henry was afraid. "You cannot but be aware of what is going on in
Carmarthen." had done so, and yet not a word had been spoken between them which,
should the will now be destroyed, could be taken as evidence that it
had ever existed. Let the paper be once burnt, and Cousin Henry would For some minutes Cousin Henry sat perfectly motionless, and then he
got up very softly, very silently, and tried the door. It was closed, It may be added that, notorious as the whole affair was at
Carmarthen, but little of Cousin Henry's wicked doings were known up
in London. Cousin Henry thought a moment whether he had concealed the will or
not. No! he had not put it within the book. The man who hides a thing
"Then Henry has not destroyed it?"

"No, he did not destroy it."

"Nor hid it where we could not find it?"

"Nor did he hide it." Cousin Henry had been well aware. If they began to search in the
room, they would certainly find the document. Of that he was quite
sure. Not a book would be left without having been made to disclose it. Would it not in every way be better for him that they should find
it? He could not bring himself to destroy it, and surely, sooner or
later, it would be found. privately destroy it. By degrees there grew upon me the conviction
that he had not destroyed it; that it still existed,--or that your
cousin had destroyed it. The latter I never quite believed. He was If he did not himself touch the document, or give any sign of his
consciousness of its presence, they could not prove that he had known
of its whereabouts. If they would only find it and let him go! But had done so, and yet not a word had been spoken between them which,
should the will now be destroyed, could be taken as evidence that it
had ever existed. Let the paper be once burnt, and Cousin Henry would were searching for it,--or he must destroy it. His common sense
told him that one alternative or the other must be chosen. He could
certainly destroy it, and no one would be the wiser. He could reduce He was trying to pluck up his spirit in order that he might get rid
of them. Why, oh! why had he not destroyed that document when, on No; he could not himself destroy the document, though it should
remain there for years to make his life a burden to him. As to that addition to his fears he might be driven to destroy the will. The
great object now should be to preserve a document which had lived as
it were a charmed life through so many dangers. If anything were to let him go. It would be told of him, at any rate, that having the
will in his hands, he had not destroyed it. Up in London, where men purpose by destroying it, the will would be destroyed. Of Cousin
Henry he knew nothing. Cousin Henry might or might not be ordinarily been quite certain that this had been destroyed by Cousin Henry, and
had sworn that he would not stand behind the chair of a felon. The
gardener had been equally violent, and had declined even to cut a nor would any such separation touch the fatal paper which lay between
the leaves of the book. Were she to consent to marry him, then he
thought he might find courage to destroy the paper. to him so strongly on the subject that he did not dare to repeat his
request. And yet, he thought, there was no good reason why they two
should not become man and wife. Henry, as far as he could learn, had misery, would not destroy it. Not only had Mr Apjohn discovered the
secret, but he was well aware that Cousin Henry was conscious that he in the very act of abstracting the document; and his safety lay in
the abstaining from any deed. What if a fit should come upon him,
or he should fall and hurt himself and the paper be found in his have destroyed it,--if in the first instance he was wicked enough
to conceal it. Still the matter was so great and the question so
important to his daughter's interest that he felt himself compelled had not destroyed the will. He had not even hidden it. He had only
put a book into its own place, carrying out as he did so his innocent
intention when he had first lifted the book. When these searchers had Cousin Henry thought a moment whether he had concealed the will or
not. No! he had not put it within the book. The man who hides a thing
When the man had asked him that question,--Is there any secret you
can tell?--Cousin Henry did, for half a minute, make up his mind Among those who believed the worst as to Cousin Henry were the two
Cantors. When a man has seen a thing done himself he is prone to Cousin Henry had been well aware. If they began to search in the
room, they would certainly find the document. Of that he was quite
sure. Not a book would be left without having been made to disclose "Then Henry has not destroyed it?"

"No, he did not destroy it."

"Nor hid it where we could not find it?"

"Nor did he hide it." "What has occurred?" Cousin Henry groaned terribly as the moment for
revelation came upon him. And he felt that he had made the moment existence, knew that it had been hidden by some accident, and knew
also that he, Henry Jones, was aware of the place of concealment.
That the man should have been so expert in reading the secret of his him peculiarly at the present moment. He was quite sure not only
that a later will had been made, but that it was in existence. It
was concealed somewhere, and Cousin Henry knew the secret of its "No, no, no."

"Is there any secret that you can tell?"

Awed, appalled, stricken with utter dismay, Cousin Henry sat silent
before his questioner. "They are very cruel; I know that," said Cousin Henry, whining.

"All such accusations are cruel, if they be false."

"These are false; damnably false." "Both Mr Brodrick and I think it probable that your uncle's last will
may yet be concealed somewhere in the house." Cousin Henry's eye, as
this was said, again glanced up at the fatal shelf. to him so strongly on the subject that he did not dare to repeat his
request. And yet, he thought, there was no good reason why they two
should not become man and wife. Henry, as far as he could learn, had Henry was afraid. "You cannot but be aware of what is going on in
Carmarthen." irked the hearts of them all that such a one as Henry Jones should
do such a deed and not be discovered. Old Indefer Jones had been
respected by his neighbours. Miss Brodrick, though not personally Cousin Henry thought a moment whether he had concealed the will or
not. No! he had not put it within the book. The man who hides a thing Cousin Henry sat staring at them. Not long ago he had himself asked
one of Mr Apjohn's clerks why they did not search again. But then the It may be added that, notorious as the whole affair was at
Carmarthen, but little of Cousin Henry's wicked doings were known up
in London. on a cross-examination. "He would ask you whether you have such
knowledge." Then again he paused, but Cousin Henry said nothing. "If As he said this, he looked into Cousin Henry's face, and thought that
he discerned something of satisfaction. When he made the suggestion, postponed. But Cousin Henry assented to the proposition and took his
departure. Now he had committed himself to some revelation, and the against Cousin Henry. There seemed to him to be an injustice in
accusing a man of a great crime, simply because the crime might have
been possible, and would, if committed, have been beneficial to the
"Go to Mr Apjohn, and speak to him like a man. Bid him bring an
action in your name for libel against the newspaper. Then there will Evans, of the _Carmarthen Herald_, for the publication of various
wicked and malicious libels against himself; and it was known
also that Mr Apjohn was Mr Jones's attorney in carrying on the Then Mr Apjohn brought a copy of the newspaper out of his pocket, and
began to read a list of questions which the editor was supposed to "Of course I know all that," said Mr Apjohn when the editor of the
paper remarked to him that the libel, if a libel, would be just civil action against him for damages. Mr Apjohn had very strongly
recommended the former proceeding. It would be cheaper, he had
said, and would show that the man who brought it had simply question whether the new Squire would not be driven to defend himself
by an action for libel. It was not that the writer declared that
Cousin Henry had destroyed the will, but that he published minute Having thus comforted his client, Mr Apjohn took his leave.




CHAPTER XV

Cousin Henry Makes Another Attempt Henry Jones to seek for legal redress,--so that he might be subjected
to cross-examination as to the transactions and words of that last
fortnight before his uncle's death. It was the opinion of many that of him that he spent hour after hour in spelling the terrible
accusations which, if not absolutely made against him, were
insinuated. It became clear to lawyers, to Mr Apjohn himself, question as well as yourself? You should understand, Mr Jones,
that you should not take this step with the view of punishing the
newspaper." Mr Apjohn had taken upon himself to "scold" her uncle because of the
altered will,--the will that had been altered in favour of Cousin "Well," said Mr Apjohn, as though demanding a final answer to his
proposition.

"I will think of it," gasped Cousin Henry. Yes; it was Mr Apjohn's business; and he thought that he could put a
spoke into the wheel of Mr Apjohn's business. Mr Apjohn was not only "Has Mr Henry Jones inquired into the cause of his own isolation?"

"Has Mr Henry Jones any idea why we persecute him in every fresh
issue of our newspaper?" "Let us look at it." Then Mr Apjohn, stretching out his hand, took
the document, and, seating himself in Cousin Henry's own chair at the that the man, if honest, should, on behalf of the old family and
long-respected name, vindicate himself by prosecuting the owner of
the paper for libel. If he were honest in the matter, altogether have been done by such a man and that Carmarthen should not find it
out? Mr Apjohn was very much praised for his energy in having forced
the man to take his action against Mr Evans, and no one was more confess the deed in a court of law. Something of all this would,
thought Mr Apjohn, occur to Cousin Henry himself, and by this very His last idea was to send the will to Mr Apjohn with a letter, in
which he would simply declare that he had just found it amongst the
sermons, and that he was prepared to go away. But as the days flew anxious to criminate him now, but had been anxious when such anxiety
on his part had been intrusive and impertinent. Mr Apjohn had, from
CHAPTER VIII

The Reading of the Will Such had been his resolution during the last fortnight, and in
accordance with that he had acted. But now his purpose was again
changed. Now he intended to reveal the will with his own hands, and suddenly that the old man had been reading these sermons shortly
before his death, had gone at once to the book. There the will
had been discovered, which had at once been admitted to be a true by his fellow-clerks in London that the will had been found by them
without any knowledge on his part,--then he would be satisfied. A
terrible catastrophe had fallen upon him, but one which would not It was still open to him to say that at any moment he had just found
the will. If he could bring himself to do so he might rush off to
Carmarthen with the document in his pocket, and still appear before preparatory to reading it. Then he looked at the date to assure
himself that it was the last will which he himself had drawn. He knew "The document which I hold here," he said, "purports to be the last
will of our old friend. Every will does that as a matter of course. of this new will. Then he had lied. His uncle had told him of his
intention before the will was executed, and had told him again,
when the Cantors had gone, that the thing was done. The old man will in truth be found to be the last will and testament of the old
Squire, then it would be his duty to declare that the estate and
everything upon it belonged to Cousin Henry, and that there would be, "No doubt. A will was proved,--a will that was very genuine if no
subsequent will be found. But, as you have been told repeatedly, be found, then that would be the actual will and not the one which
he had now read. After that, when all due formalities had been
performed, he took his leave, and went back to Carmarthen. Mr Brodrick, with a lawyer's cautious hands, undid the folds, and
examined the document. "It certainly is a will," he said,--"and is
signed by my brother-in-law." him peculiarly at the present moment. He was quite sure not only
that a later will had been made, but that it was in existence. It
was concealed somewhere, and Cousin Henry knew the secret of its The news was soon all about Carmarthen. A new will had been found, in
accordance with which Miss Brodrick was to become owner of Llanfeare, His last idea was to send the will to Mr Apjohn with a letter, in
which he would simply declare that he had just found it amongst the
sermons, and that he was prepared to go away. But as the days flew destroyed it. We must have the will before we can use it. If he left
such a will, it will be found among his papers. I have turned over "You understand, Mr Jones," said the lawyer in the presence of the
official, "that we still think that a further will may eventually be
found?"

"I understand that," croaked the poor wretch. and subsequent to the funeral, he had heard a will read, and under
that will had inherited the property. As far as he believed, or
at any rate as far as he knew, that was his uncle's last will and "But," continued Dr Powell, "you will not find any difficulty of that
kind. The funeral had better be on Monday. And the will, I suppose, Of course he did by degrees explain to her all the
circumstances,--how the will had been found and not revealed, and how
On the day after the reading of the will, Henry Indefer Jones, Esq.,
of Llanfeare, as he was now to be called, was left alone in his had done so, and yet not a word had been spoken between them which,
should the will now be destroyed, could be taken as evidence that it
had ever existed. Let the paper be once burnt, and Cousin Henry would will in truth be found to be the last will and testament of the old
Squire, then it would be his duty to declare that the estate and
everything upon it belonged to Cousin Henry, and that there would be, "He never spoke to you about another will,--a further will, that
should again bestow the estate on your cousin?"

"No," said Cousin Henry, with the perspiration still on his brow. altogether in opposition to his own advice, and having thus created
that "scolding" of which the Squire had complained to Isabel. This
will bequeathed the whole of the property to Cousin Henry. It did him peculiarly at the present moment. He was quite sure not only
that a later will had been made, but that it was in existence. It
was concealed somewhere, and Cousin Henry knew the secret of its Then that will was read,--that will which we know not to have been
the last will,--in the presence of Cousin Henry, of Dr Powell, who was twenty-one this will had always been in Henry's favour,--with
a clause, however, that a certain sum of money which the Squire
possessed should go to her. Then in his disgust towards his nephew he operations necessary for proving the later will and annulling the
former one, for dispossessing Cousin Henry and for putting Isabel
into the full fruition of all her honours, went on as quickly as it "Both Mr Brodrick and I think it probable that your uncle's last will
may yet be concealed somewhere in the house." Cousin Henry's eye, as
this was said, again glanced up at the fatal shelf. "My uncle did make a will," said Cousin Henry feebly.

"Of course he made a will. He made a many,--one or two more than was
wise, I am thinking." by his fellow-clerks in London that the will had been found by them
without any knowledge on his part,--then he would be satisfied. A
terrible catastrophe had fallen upon him, but one which would not Such had been his resolution during the last fortnight, and in
accordance with that he had acted. But now his purpose was again
changed. Now he intended to reveal the will with his own hands, and Cousin Henry had been well aware. If they began to search in the
room, they would certainly find the document. Of that he was quite
sure. Not a book would be left without having been made to disclose Cousin Henry thought a moment whether he had concealed the will or
not. No! he had not put it within the book. The man who hides a thing "It was concealed within a book in the library. As soon as the
necessary deeds can be executed Llanfeare will be your own. It is
precisely word for word the same as that which he had made before he
sent for your cousin Henry." Of course he did by degrees explain to her all the
circumstances,--how the will had been found and not revealed, and how It was still open to him to say that at any moment he had just found
the will. If he could bring himself to do so he might rush off to
Carmarthen with the document in his pocket, and still appear before suddenly that the old man had been reading these sermons shortly
before his death, had gone at once to the book. There the will
had been discovered, which had at once been admitted to be a true His brother Henry was then alive; but Henry had disgraced the
family,--had run away with a married woman whom he had married after
a divorce, had taken to race courses and billiard-rooms, and had been
Mr Indefer Jones, who was now between seventy and eighty years old,
was a gentleman who through his whole life had been disturbed by On the day after the reading of the will, Henry Indefer Jones, Esq.,
of Llanfeare, as he was now to be called, was left alone in his of the Pembroke Lion, should reign at Llanfeare in the place of
an Indefer Jones had been abominable to him. To prevent that had For there was a change, not only in his mind, but in his declared
intentions. Llanfeare had belonged to Indefer Joneses for many carried on. There had come no time in which this Indefer Jones had
been about to be married, and the former old man having been given to irked the hearts of them all that such a one as Henry Jones should
do such a deed and not be discovered. Old Indefer Jones had been
respected by his neighbours. Miss Brodrick, though not personally then, when he shall have gone through the proper changes, Mrs William
Owen Indefer Jones. As such I hope you may remain till you shall be
known as the oldest inhabitant of Carmarthenshire." will have to put himself into a witness-box, and then probably we may
learn something of the truth as to the last will and testament made
by Mr Indefer Jones." All this reached Hereford, and was of course himself should be the last, leaving Llanfeare to his nephew on
condition that he should prefix the name of Indefer to that of Jones,
and adding certain stipulations as to further entail. Then everything Jones, and the other that I will not marry your nephew Henry Jones.
When it is all settled it will be just as though the old place were
entailed, as it used to be." When Mr Indefer Jones spoke of living for two years, he spoke more
hopefully of himself than the doctor was wont to speak to Isabel. The which I had advocated; and, though no man in his strong health would
have been more ready to acknowledge an error than Indefer Jones,
of Llanfeare, we all know that with failing strength comes failing "It means--that you have stolen--the estates--from your cousin--Miss
Brodrick!" This the man said very solemnly, bringing out each single
word by itself. "I am not saying so, Mr Jones." accounts of all that had been done at Llanfeare, putting forward in
every paper as it came out the reason which existed for supposing
that a wrong had been done. That theory that old Indefer Jones had Jones, Esq., of Llanfeare, and will be so till you are put out by the
hard hand of the law. You may turn round for anything I know, and say
that this document is a forgery." "You will have to be called Miss Jones," said the lawyer, "Miss
Indefer Jones. There will be a form, for which we shall have to pay, "What is it that has occurred, Mr Jones, since I was up at Llanfeare
yesterday?"

"I don't think that I could tell you here."

"Where, then?" unlike a Jones of Llanfeare. Then had come the time in which Isabel
had been brought to Llanfeare. Henry had been sent away from Oxford
for some offence not altogether trivial, and the Squire had declared Then the day came for the arrival of Henry Jones, during the approach
to which Uncle Indefer had, from day to day, become more and more to Llanfeare there was a short leading article recapitulating all
that was hitherto known of the story. "Mr Henry Jones," said the
article in its last paragraph, "has at length been induced to
Brodrick, was undiminished, and his confidence in her as perfect as
ever, still he had thought it right to leave the old family property
to his nephew, Henry Jones. Then, with all due circumstances of himself should be the last, leaving Llanfeare to his nephew on
condition that he should prefix the name of Indefer to that of Jones,
and adding certain stipulations as to further entail. Then everything Jones, and the other that I will not marry your nephew Henry Jones.
When it is all settled it will be just as though the old place were
entailed, as it used to be." Having much considered the matter, he had thought the estate should
descend to the male heir, even in default of a regular deed of
entail. Therefore, although his love for his dearest niece, Isabel On the day after the reading of the will, Henry Indefer Jones, Esq.,
of Llanfeare, as he was now to be called, was left alone in his description, the legacy was made in favour of his nephew. There were
other legacies; a small sum of money to Mr Apjohn himself, for the that to the best of his belief the will, which was about to be
proved, was the last will and testament of Indefer Jones. Had this
been explained to him by the lawyer in his letter, he might probably was twenty-one this will had always been in Henry's favour,--with
a clause, however, that a certain sum of money which the Squire
possessed should go to her. Then in his disgust towards his nephew he inheritance to himself,--and so he thought, no doubt, was hers as to
herself. It might be that the old man's intention would depend upon Jones had gone on to explain that this deed was to be his last will.
The old farmer, it seemed, had suggested to his landlord that Mr
Apjohn should be employed. The Squire then declared that this would "It means--that you have stolen--the estates--from your cousin--Miss
Brodrick!" This the man said very solemnly, bringing out each single
word by itself. "I am not saying so, Mr Jones." "But," he said, "Mr Henry Jones, when he comes into possession of the
estate, will probably feel himself called upon to set that matter
right, and to carry out his uncle's wishes." said. "It had been," she said, "her uncle's intention to make his
nephew the owner of Llanfeare, and she believed that he had done so. will have to put himself into a witness-box, and then probably we may
learn something of the truth as to the last will and testament made
by Mr Indefer Jones." All this reached Hereford, and was of course altogether in opposition to his own advice, and having thus created
that "scolding" of which the Squire had complained to Isabel. This
will bequeathed the whole of the property to Cousin Henry. It did his, he would certainly see that his uncle's wishes were carried out
in regard to his dear cousin. To this Mr Apjohn listened, and then
went on to explain what remained to be said. Though this will, which after her uncle's death. As simple Isabel Brodrick she might marry
whom she would without bringing discredit upon the Indefer Joneses.
But that which she had been constrained to do before her uncle had Henry Jones to seek for legal redress,--so that he might be subjected
to cross-examination as to the transactions and words of that last
fortnight before his uncle's death. It was the opinion of many that reasons. He told me that he thought it right to keep the property in
the direct line of his family. I endeavoured to explain to him that
this might be sufficiently done though the property were left to a importance was to be made to her,--"it turns out that after all your
Uncle Indefer did make another will."
after her uncle's death. As simple Isabel Brodrick she might marry
whom she would without bringing discredit upon the Indefer Joneses.
But that which she had been constrained to do before her uncle had "But not on that account a Jones. My name is Isabel Brodrick. A woman
not born to be a Jones may have the luck to become one by marriage,
but that will never be the case with me." irked the hearts of them all that such a one as Henry Jones should
do such a deed and not be discovered. Old Indefer Jones had been
respected by his neighbours. Miss Brodrick, though not personally Brodrick, she, too, was a Jones; and her father, though an attorney,
had come of a family nearly as good as his own. In no case could another pair of feet must create. And then it was so palpable that
Hereford thought much of Isabel, but thought little or nothing of
her own girls. Such a one as Mrs Brodrick was sure to make herself CHAPTER II

Isabel Brodrick daughter, had married an attorney named Brodrick, and she also had
died, having no other child but Isabel. Mr Brodrick had married When Mr Indefer Jones spoke of living for two years, he spoke more
hopefully of himself than the doctor was wont to speak to Isabel. The Brodrick, was undiminished, and his confidence in her as perfect as
ever, still he had thought it right to leave the old family property
to his nephew, Henry Jones. Then, with all due circumstances of On the following morning he came, and was soon closeted with her.
When he arrived, Isabel was sitting with Mrs Brodrick and her I am afraid; but we had better take the name at once. You will have
to undergo a variety of changes in signing your name. You will become
first Miss Isabel Brodrick Indefer Jones, then Mrs William Owen, and as such he sought no especial interviews with Isabel. Between him
and Isabel no word was spoken as to the contents of the newspaper.
But between Mr Brodrick and the clergyman many words were spoken. Mr at it. To Mr Brodrick himself there was an obstinacy in it which
was sickening to him. But to Isabel's thinking the matter was very
different. She was as firmly resolved that she would not marry Mr "It means--that you have stolen--the estates--from your cousin--Miss
Brodrick!" This the man said very solemnly, bringing out each single
word by itself. "I am not saying so, Mr Jones." carried on. There had come no time in which this Indefer Jones had
been about to be married, and the former old man having been given to often to the exclusion of Isabel. Now it had come to pass that Uncle
Indefer was never at his ease unless his niece were with him. "Mr Jones," said the attorney from Carmarthen, "this is your uncle,
Mr Brodrick, from Hereford." Then the two men who were so nearly "Uncle Indefer," she said, "how is it with you? Uncle Indefer, speak
to me!" He moved his head a little upon the pillow; he turned his unlike a Jones of Llanfeare. Then had come the time in which Isabel
had been brought to Llanfeare. Henry had been sent away from Oxford
for some offence not altogether trivial, and the Squire had declared Then the other girls came in, and nothing more was said till, after
an hour or two, Mrs Brodrick and Isabel were again alone together.
Mr Indefer Jones, who was now between seventy and eighty years old,
was a gentleman who through his whole life had been disturbed by carried on. There had come no time in which this Indefer Jones had
been about to be married, and the former old man having been given to between himself and his uncle. Could they who had known old Indefer
Jones for so many years, and were aware that he had been governed
by the highest sense of honour through his entire life, could they which I had advocated; and, though no man in his strong health would
have been more ready to acknowledge an error than Indefer Jones,
of Llanfeare, we all know that with failing strength comes failing When Mr Indefer Jones spoke of living for two years, he spoke more
hopefully of himself than the doctor was wont to speak to Isabel. The For there was a change, not only in his mind, but in his declared
intentions. Llanfeare had belonged to Indefer Joneses for many CHAPTER I

Uncle Indefer irked the hearts of them all that such a one as Henry Jones should
do such a deed and not be discovered. Old Indefer Jones had been
respected by his neighbours. Miss Brodrick, though not personally "Well, then, I urged my ideas perhaps too strongly. I am bound to say
that I felt them very strongly. Mr Indefer Jones remarked that it was accounts of all that had been done at Llanfeare, putting forward in
every paper as it came out the reason which existed for supposing
that a wrong had been done. That theory that old Indefer Jones had that to the best of his belief the will, which was about to be
proved, was the last will and testament of Indefer Jones. Had this
been explained to him by the lawyer in his letter, he might probably "Uncle Indefer," she said, "how is it with you? Uncle Indefer, speak
to me!" He moved his head a little upon the pillow; he turned his On the day after the reading of the will, Henry Indefer Jones, Esq.,
of Llanfeare, as he was now to be called, was left alone in his "I'm sure she is all that you say, Uncle Indefer," he replied.

Uncle Indefer grunted, and told him that if he wanted any supper, he
had better go and get it. then, when he shall have gone through the proper changes, Mrs William
Owen Indefer Jones. As such I hope you may remain till you shall be
known as the oldest inhabitant of Carmarthenshire." "You will have to be called Miss Jones," said the lawyer, "Miss
Indefer Jones. There will be a form, for which we shall have to pay, of the Pembroke Lion, should reign at Llanfeare in the place of
an Indefer Jones had been abominable to him. To prevent that had Then the day came for the arrival of Henry Jones, during the approach
to which Uncle Indefer had, from day to day, become more and more "You ought to do so, Uncle Indefer. What should a man obey but his
conscience?"

"Though it will break my heart."

"No; no, no!" himself should be the last, leaving Llanfeare to his nephew on
condition that he should prefix the name of Indefer to that of Jones,
and adding certain stipulations as to further entail. Then everything
carried on. There had come no time in which this Indefer Jones had
been about to be married, and the former old man having been given to Mr Indefer Jones, who was now between seventy and eighty years old,
was a gentleman who through his whole life had been disturbed by CHAPTER I

Uncle Indefer "Uncle Indefer," she said, "how is it with you? Uncle Indefer, speak
to me!" He moved his head a little upon the pillow; he turned his between himself and his uncle. Could they who had known old Indefer
Jones for so many years, and were aware that he had been governed
by the highest sense of honour through his entire life, could they himself should be the last, leaving Llanfeare to his nephew on
condition that he should prefix the name of Indefer to that of Jones,
and adding certain stipulations as to further entail. Then everything Then the day came for the arrival of Henry Jones, during the approach
to which Uncle Indefer had, from day to day, become more and more On the day after the reading of the will, Henry Indefer Jones, Esq.,
of Llanfeare, as he was now to be called, was left alone in his "I'm sure she is all that you say, Uncle Indefer," he replied.

Uncle Indefer grunted, and told him that if he wanted any supper, he
had better go and get it. When Mr Indefer Jones spoke of living for two years, he spoke more
hopefully of himself than the doctor was wont to speak to Isabel. The will have to put himself into a witness-box, and then probably we may
learn something of the truth as to the last will and testament made
by Mr Indefer Jones." All this reached Hereford, and was of course irked the hearts of them all that such a one as Henry Jones should
do such a deed and not be discovered. Old Indefer Jones had been
respected by his neighbours. Miss Brodrick, though not personally which I had advocated; and, though no man in his strong health would
have been more ready to acknowledge an error than Indefer Jones,
of Llanfeare, we all know that with failing strength comes failing after him had died without issue. Then there had been a Henry Jones,
who had gone away and married, had become the father of the Henry
Jones above mentioned, and had then also departed. The youngest, a "How am I to know?"

"You do know! Who put it there?"

"I suppose it was Uncle Indefer." after her uncle's death. As simple Isabel Brodrick she might marry
whom she would without bringing discredit upon the Indefer Joneses.
But that which she had been constrained to do before her uncle had For there was a change, not only in his mind, but in his declared
intentions. Llanfeare had belonged to Indefer Joneses for many "You will have to be called Miss Jones," said the lawyer, "Miss
Indefer Jones. There will be a form, for which we shall have to pay, then, when he shall have gone through the proper changes, Mrs William
Owen Indefer Jones. As such I hope you may remain till you shall be
known as the oldest inhabitant of Carmarthenshire." Llanfeare. Ever since I have known him, Uncle Indefer has been all
love to me. I would not allow a thought of mine to be polluted by
to him so strongly on the subject that he did not dare to repeat his
request. And yet, he thought, there was no good reason why they two
should not become man and wife. Henry, as far as he could learn, had His brother Henry was then alive; but Henry had disgraced the
family,--had run away with a married woman whom he had married after
a divorce, had taken to race courses and billiard-rooms, and had been after him had died without issue. Then there had been a Henry Jones,
who had gone away and married, had become the father of the Henry
Jones above mentioned, and had then also departed. The youngest, a Henry could see it all now! So, at least, Cousin Henry told himself. "Sit down there, Henry, and I will tell you why we cannot do that. I
do not love you in the least."

"You might learn to love me." It will be seen how he had endeavoured to reconcile things. When
it was found that Henry Jones was working like a steady man at the When the man had asked him that question,--Is there any secret you
can tell?--Cousin Henry did, for half a minute, make up his mind Henry. So much the old man had said to Isabel himself. "If I think
it proper, he has no right to scold me," the old man had said. The While he was so arguing, Cousin Henry was trying his hand with
Isabel. There had been but a week for him to do it, and three days Then Joseph Cantor the father told all the circumstances as they
had occurred. When Mr Henry Jones had been about a fortnight at "It is near two o'clock, Mr Henry," said the butler. "What are you
doing up so late?"

"I am only reading," said the heir. made, but had sat there still in continued silence. "We do not say,"
continued the writer in the paper, "that Henry Jones since he became The clerk had made his way into the book-room in which Cousin Henry
was sitting, and stood there over him while he was reading the made. Cousin Henry took his place at the further end of the table
from the fire, about six feet from the spot on which all his thoughts
were intent. There he stood, ready for action while the attorney At Coed he found the farmer in his own farmyard.

"I have come to you in great trouble," said Cousin Henry, beginning
his story. to do so." He paused a moment, but Cousin Henry was silent, and he
continued, "For many years I was your uncle's lawyer, as was my altogether odious to his brother Indefer. Nevertheless the boy which
had come from this marriage, a younger Henry, had been educated at
his expense, and had occasionally been received at Llanfeare. He Having thus comforted his client, Mr Apjohn took his leave.




CHAPTER XV

Cousin Henry Makes Another Attempt From what had passed with Mrs Griffith, it was clear to Cousin Henry
that he must go out of the house and be seen about the place. The book-room. But here Cousin Henry had now placed himself, and here he
remained through the whole day, though it was not believed of him
that he was given to much reading. For his breakfast and his supper
Then again there came to him the idea that it would be best for
him, and for Isabel too, to divide the property. In one way it was Whereupon Uncle Indefer grunted. The more he saw of the man, the less
he himself liked the idea of sacrificing Isabel to such a husband. "I
shall certainly do my best to carry out your wishes." "Uncle Indefer," she said, "how is it with you? Uncle Indefer, speak
to me!" He moved his head a little upon the pillow; he turned his remained silent, fixed, and attentive. "Isabel," he said, "I suppose
Uncle Indefer has told you what he intends?" after her uncle's death. As simple Isabel Brodrick she might marry
whom she would without bringing discredit upon the Indefer Joneses.
But that which she had been constrained to do before her uncle had often to the exclusion of Isabel. Now it had come to pass that Uncle
Indefer was never at his ease unless his niece were with him. Then, naturally enough, there came back upon him the idea, hardly
amounting to a hope, that something might even yet occur to set
matters right by a marriage between the cousins. Isabel had spoken you have it in your power to relieve him altogether? Do you not know
how pressed he is, and that there are your brothers to be educated?"
Isabel, as she listened to this, sat silent, looking upon the ground, Having much considered the matter, he had thought the estate should
descend to the male heir, even in default of a regular deed of
entail. Therefore, although his love for his dearest niece, Isabel When Mr Indefer Jones spoke of living for two years, he spoke more
hopefully of himself than the doctor was wont to speak to Isabel. The "As to what, Uncle Indefer?" She knew very well what was the matter
in which, as he said, he could not help himself. Had there been old Squire would not again change his mind. The young man had thought
much about it, and had come to the resolution that the best way to
insure the good things promised him would be to induce Isabel to be altogether in opposition to his own advice, and having thus created
that "scolding" of which the Squire had complained to Isabel. This
will bequeathed the whole of the property to Cousin Henry. It did "And so have I, Uncle Indefer; and as my conscience is backed by my
inclination, whereas yours is not--"

"You think that I shall give way?"

"I did not mean that." The heir expectant was then convinced that it would have been better
for him to have followed the advice which Isabel had given him, but
yet he could not bring himself to believe that the advice had been Then followed the business as to the charge upon the property which
was to be made on behalf of Isabel. The deeds were prepared, and only
required the signature of the new Squire. "You ought to do so, Uncle Indefer. What should a man obey but his
conscience?"

"Though it will break my heart."

"No; no, no!" Isabel was quite sure that the newspaper was right. Did she not
remember the dying words with which her uncle had told her that
he had again made her his heir? And had she not always clearly his part. To divide it would certainly be best. But there was no
other way of dividing it but by a marriage. For any other division,
such as separating the land or the rents, no excuse could be made, "And you would wish to make him owner of Llanfeare?"

"I did not say so," rejoined Isabel. "I have told you what occurred,
and have asked you what you thought."
and that Cousin Henry was in possession of the property. He had
regarded Isabel and the property as altogether separated from each
other. Now he learned that such was not the general opinion in While he was so arguing, Cousin Henry was trying his hand with
Isabel. There had been but a week for him to do it, and three days The reader may perhaps understand that these words were written by
her with extreme anguish; but of that her Cousin Henry understood
nothing.




CHAPTER XII Henry. So much the old man had said to Isabel himself. "If I think
it proper, he has no right to scold me," the old man had said. The "They are very cruel; I know that," said Cousin Henry, whining.

"All such accusations are cruel, if they be false."

"These are false; damnably false." well to have been a burden on you when I could give you nothing."
That would be sweet to her! Then there should be kisses! As for
Cousin Henry, there was not even pity in her heart towards him. It for an attempt at love; and if for an attempt at love on his part,
why not also on Isabel's? But he did not dare to bid Isabel even to
try to love this cousin. "So much better for that poor young man's sake." The poor young man
was of course Cousin Henry. "But I could not interfere. I could only
hear what I did hear,--and wait. Then the dear old man died!" between Isabel and her cousin. At dinner they met, but only at
dinner, and even then almost nothing was said between them. What he
did with himself during the day she did not even know. At Llanfeare operations necessary for proving the later will and annulling the
former one, for dispossessing Cousin Henry and for putting Isabel
into the full fruition of all her honours, went on as quickly as it "You must go--you must indeed," said Isabel.

Then the cousin went, and so at last, with some persuasion, did the
housekeeper. Then, naturally enough, there came back upon him the idea, hardly
amounting to a hope, that something might even yet occur to set
matters right by a marriage between the cousins. Isabel had spoken CHAPTER III

Cousin Henry Cousin Henry found his position to be difficult and precarious. That
suggestion of his uncle's,--or rather assertion,--that he could still Cousin Henry, groaning, pale and affrighted, murmured out something
signifying that he would think of it. Then Mr Griffith left him. The "What has occurred?" Cousin Henry groaned terribly as the moment for
revelation came upon him. And he felt that he had made the moment When the man had asked him that question,--Is there any secret you
can tell?--Cousin Henry did, for half a minute, make up his mind against Cousin Henry. There seemed to him to be an injustice in
accusing a man of a great crime, simply because the crime might have
been possible, and would, if committed, have been beneficial to the That night he wrote a letter to his cousin, which was as follows:--


   MY DEAR ISABEL, to do so." He paused a moment, but Cousin Henry was silent, and he
continued, "For many years I was your uncle's lawyer, as was my
Mr Indefer Jones, who was now between seventy and eighty years old,
was a gentleman who through his whole life had been disturbed by carried on. There had come no time in which this Indefer Jones had
been about to be married, and the former old man having been given to which I had advocated; and, though no man in his strong health would
have been more ready to acknowledge an error than Indefer Jones,
of Llanfeare, we all know that with failing strength comes failing When Mr Indefer Jones spoke of living for two years, he spoke more
hopefully of himself than the doctor was wont to speak to Isabel. The On the day after the reading of the will, Henry Indefer Jones, Esq.,
of Llanfeare, as he was now to be called, was left alone in his "Uncle Indefer," she said, "how is it with you? Uncle Indefer, speak
to me!" He moved his head a little upon the pillow; he turned his himself should be the last, leaving Llanfeare to his nephew on
condition that he should prefix the name of Indefer to that of Jones,
and adding certain stipulations as to further entail. Then everything will have to put himself into a witness-box, and then probably we may
learn something of the truth as to the last will and testament made
by Mr Indefer Jones." All this reached Hereford, and was of course that to the best of his belief the will, which was about to be
proved, was the last will and testament of Indefer Jones. Had this
been explained to him by the lawyer in his letter, he might probably Then the day came for the arrival of Henry Jones, during the approach
to which Uncle Indefer had, from day to day, become more and more between himself and his uncle. Could they who had known old Indefer
Jones for so many years, and were aware that he had been governed
by the highest sense of honour through his entire life, could they For there was a change, not only in his mind, but in his declared
intentions. Llanfeare had belonged to Indefer Joneses for many accounts of all that had been done at Llanfeare, putting forward in
every paper as it came out the reason which existed for supposing
that a wrong had been done. That theory that old Indefer Jones had then, when he shall have gone through the proper changes, Mrs William
Owen Indefer Jones. As such I hope you may remain till you shall be
known as the oldest inhabitant of Carmarthenshire." Jones had gone on to explain that this deed was to be his last will.
The old farmer, it seemed, had suggested to his landlord that Mr
Apjohn should be employed. The Squire then declared that this would irked the hearts of them all that such a one as Henry Jones should
do such a deed and not be discovered. Old Indefer Jones had been
respected by his neighbours. Miss Brodrick, though not personally CHAPTER I

Uncle Indefer "That is very soon. I am so sorry that you are to leave us! But I
suppose it is best that dear Uncle Indefer should not be left alone." "You will have to be called Miss Jones," said the lawyer, "Miss
Indefer Jones. There will be a form, for which we shall have to pay, to Llanfeare there was a short leading article recapitulating all
that was hitherto known of the story. "Mr Henry Jones," said the
article in its last paragraph, "has at length been induced to
"Both Mr Brodrick and I think it probable that your uncle's last will
may yet be concealed somewhere in the house." Cousin Henry's eye, as
this was said, again glanced up at the fatal shelf. "My uncle did make a will," said Cousin Henry feebly.

"Of course he made a will. He made a many,--one or two more than was
wise, I am thinking." him peculiarly at the present moment. He was quite sure not only
that a later will had been made, but that it was in existence. It
was concealed somewhere, and Cousin Henry knew the secret of its Cousin Henry thought a moment whether he had concealed the will or
not. No! he had not put it within the book. The man who hides a thing will in truth be found to be the last will and testament of the old
Squire, then it would be his duty to declare that the estate and
everything upon it belonged to Cousin Henry, and that there would be, "It was concealed within a book in the library. As soon as the
necessary deeds can be executed Llanfeare will be your own. It is
precisely word for word the same as that which he had made before he
sent for your cousin Henry." be found among her uncle's papers. She knew well the manner in which
those other wills had been tied and deposited in one of the drawers Cousin Henry had been well aware. If they began to search in the
room, they would certainly find the document. Of that he was quite
sure. Not a book would be left without having been made to disclose The clerk had made his way into the book-room in which Cousin Henry
was sitting, and stood there over him while he was reading the "He never spoke to you about another will,--a further will, that
should again bestow the estate on your cousin?"

"No," said Cousin Henry, with the perspiration still on his brow. able to find a will, the hiding-place of which should be known to
Cousin Henry, was to his thinking out of the question. The subtler
intellect of the other lawyer appreciating the intricacies of a and subsequent to the funeral, he had heard a will read, and under
that will had inherited the property. As far as he believed, or
at any rate as far as he knew, that was his uncle's last will and by his fellow-clerks in London that the will had been found by them
without any knowledge on his part,--then he would be satisfied. A
terrible catastrophe had fallen upon him, but one which would not "But," he said, "Mr Henry Jones, when he comes into possession of the
estate, will probably feel himself called upon to set that matter
right, and to carry out his uncle's wishes." On the day after the reading of the will, Henry Indefer Jones, Esq.,
of Llanfeare, as he was now to be called, was left alone in his suddenly that the old man had been reading these sermons shortly
before his death, had gone at once to the book. There the will
had been discovered, which had at once been admitted to be a true The day after her arrival her father asked her a few questions as to
her uncle's intentions in reference to the property.

"I think it is all settled," she said. "I think it has been left to
my Cousin Henry." "Then Henry has not destroyed it?"

"No, he did not destroy it."

"Nor hid it where we could not find it?"

"Nor did he hide it." Then that will was read,--that will which we know not to have been
the last will,--in the presence of Cousin Henry, of Dr Powell, who Such had been his resolution during the last fortnight, and in
accordance with that he had acted. But now his purpose was again
changed. Now he intended to reveal the will with his own hands, and
"Has Mr Henry Jones inquired into the cause of his own isolation?"

"Has Mr Henry Jones any idea why we persecute him in every fresh
issue of our newspaper?" newspapers,--believing, as he knew they did, that he had stolen the
property,--would clamber up on the very wheels to look at him! The
clerk had been right in that. to Llanfeare there was a short leading article recapitulating all
that was hitherto known of the story. "Mr Henry Jones," said the
article in its last paragraph, "has at length been induced to made, but had sat there still in continued silence. "We do not say,"
continued the writer in the paper, "that Henry Jones since he became "They are very cruel; I know that," said Cousin Henry, whining.

"All such accusations are cruel, if they be false."

"These are false; damnably false." "I know about the newspaper."

"It is my duty not to blink the matter. Every one, not only in the
town but throughout the country, is expressing an opinion that right
has not been done." Cousin Henry turned deadly pale. "We have all been driven to look
at them. I have taken the paper these twenty years, but it is sent
now to every tenant on the estate, whether they pay or whether they Then the newspapers reached them. When it became clear to him that
there existed in Carmarthenshire so strong a doubt as to the validity "Practically they do. These articles in the paper are only an echo of
the public voice. And that voice is becoming stronger and stronger
every day because you take no steps to silence it. Have you seen
yesterday's paper?" intense interest in the borough. The sale of the newspaper had risen
immensely, and Mr Evans was quite the leading man of the hour. "Yes; it does come," said Cousin Henry, with the faintest attempt at
a smile.

"And you have read what they say?"

"Yes, the most of it." Then Mr Apjohn brought a copy of the newspaper out of his pocket, and
began to read a list of questions which the editor was supposed to opinion concerning Cousin Henry in Carmarthen on the Thursday and
Friday was very severe indeed. Had he shown himself in the town, he
would almost have been pulled in pieces. To kill him and to sell his The _Carmarthen Herald_, a newspaper bearing a high character through
South Wales, took the matter up very strongly, so that it became a Henry was afraid. "You cannot but be aware of what is going on in
Carmarthen." Every one was convinced that Cousin Henry had simply stolen the
property; and was it to be endured that such a deed as that should It may be added that, notorious as the whole affair was at
Carmarthen, but little of Cousin Henry's wicked doings were known up
in London. Then Joseph Cantor the father told all the circumstances as they
had occurred. When Mr Henry Jones had been about a fortnight at against Cousin Henry. There seemed to him to be an injustice in
accusing a man of a great crime, simply because the crime might have
been possible, and would, if committed, have been beneficial to the spies upon his actions; this newspaper was rending his very vitals;
and now this one last friend had deserted him. He thought that if
only he could summon courage for the deed, it would be best for him
In all this Cousin Henry did feel some consolation, and was greatly
comforted when he heard from the office in London that his stool at
the desk was still kept open for him. "Then Henry has not destroyed it?"

"No, he did not destroy it."

"Nor hid it where we could not find it?"

"Nor did he hide it." postponed. But Cousin Henry assented to the proposition and took his
departure. Now he had committed himself to some revelation, and the CHAPTER XXII

How Cousin Henry Was Let Off Easily against Cousin Henry. There seemed to him to be an injustice in
accusing a man of a great crime, simply because the crime might have
been possible, and would, if committed, have been beneficial to the far Cousin Henry had sinned in the matter; but it was agreed between
them that no further evil should be said in the family as to their
unfortunate relative. The great injury which he might have done to His brother Henry was then alive; but Henry had disgraced the
family,--had run away with a married woman whom he had married after
a divorce, had taken to race courses and billiard-rooms, and had been It will be seen how he had endeavoured to reconcile things. When
it was found that Henry Jones was working like a steady man at the irked the hearts of them all that such a one as Henry Jones should
do such a deed and not be discovered. Old Indefer Jones had been
respected by his neighbours. Miss Brodrick, though not personally Then Joseph Cantor the father told all the circumstances as they
had occurred. When Mr Henry Jones had been about a fortnight at to him so strongly on the subject that he did not dare to repeat his
request. And yet, he thought, there was no good reason why they two
should not become man and wife. Henry, as far as he could learn, had Having thus comforted his client, Mr Apjohn took his leave.




CHAPTER XV

Cousin Henry Makes Another Attempt made, but had sat there still in continued silence. "We do not say,"
continued the writer in the paper, "that Henry Jones since he became Cousin Henry, to whom we may be now allowed to bid farewell, was
permitted to remain within the seclusion of the house at Llanfeare to whom he had expressed his own thoughts as they had occurred to
him. He had said a word to the clerk in triumph as Cousin Henry left
him, but a few minutes afterwards recalled him with an altered tone. letter addressed to himself, which he invited Cousin Henry to sign as
soon as he had read it aloud to him and to Mr Brodrick. The letter
contained simply the two admissions above stated, and then went old butler also, who had taken himself off in disgust at Cousin
Henry's character, but had now returned as though there had been no
break in his continuous service. They received her with triumphant "No, no, no."

"Is there any secret that you can tell?"

Awed, appalled, stricken with utter dismay, Cousin Henry sat silent
before his questioner. be too glad to resign Llanfeare and all its glories. The reader will
hardly suppose that Cousin Henry will return after the trial to laugh
in his sleeve in his own library in his own house. gone, but she remained, as did the two other women. Nothing was said
as to the cause of their remaining; but they remained. As for Cousin
Henry himself, he was too weak, too frightened, too completely
Mr Indefer Jones, who was now between seventy and eighty years old,
was a gentleman who through his whole life had been disturbed by "Uncle Indefer," she said, "how is it with you? Uncle Indefer, speak
to me!" He moved his head a little upon the pillow; he turned his CHAPTER I

Uncle Indefer "I'm sure she is all that you say, Uncle Indefer," he replied.

Uncle Indefer grunted, and told him that if he wanted any supper, he
had better go and get it. "As to what, Uncle Indefer?" She knew very well what was the matter
in which, as he said, he could not help himself. Had there been carried on. There had come no time in which this Indefer Jones had
been about to be married, and the former old man having been given to "She would have much more," said Uncle Indefer angrily. "She knows
every man, woman, and child about the place. There is not one of them "How am I to know?"

"You do know! Who put it there?"

"I suppose it was Uncle Indefer." "Why should you run away from me?"

"Not from you, Uncle Indefer, but from him."

"And why from him?"

"Because I don't love him." between himself and his uncle. Could they who had known old Indefer
Jones for so many years, and were aware that he had been governed
by the highest sense of honour through his entire life, could they London office to which he was attached, that he had sown his wild
oats, then Uncle Indefer began to ask himself why all his dearest
wishes should not be carried out together by a marriage between the Llanfeare. Ever since I have known him, Uncle Indefer has been all
love to me. I would not allow a thought of mine to be polluted by When Mr Indefer Jones spoke of living for two years, he spoke more
hopefully of himself than the doctor was wont to speak to Isabel. The "And so have I, Uncle Indefer; and as my conscience is backed by my
inclination, whereas yours is not--"

"You think that I shall give way?"

"I did not mean that." "That is very soon. I am so sorry that you are to leave us! But I
suppose it is best that dear Uncle Indefer should not be left alone." "You ought to do so, Uncle Indefer. What should a man obey but his
conscience?"

"Though it will break my heart."

"No; no, no!" "I am angry with him," said the attorney in wrath, "because he
deceived you and deceived me about the property."

"Never; he deceived no one. Uncle Indefer and deceit never went
together." "You should not say that, Uncle Indefer. It is not true. I care
enough for the family to sympathise with you altogether in what you Whereupon Uncle Indefer grunted. The more he saw of the man, the less
he himself liked the idea of sacrificing Isabel to such a husband. "I
shall certainly do my best to carry out your wishes." altogether odious to his brother Indefer. Nevertheless the boy which
had come from this marriage, a younger Henry, had been educated at
his expense, and had occasionally been received at Llanfeare. He
"Uncle Indefer," she said, "how is it with you? Uncle Indefer, speak
to me!" He moved his head a little upon the pillow; he turned his CHAPTER I

Uncle Indefer "I'm sure she is all that you say, Uncle Indefer," he replied.

Uncle Indefer grunted, and told him that if he wanted any supper, he
had better go and get it. "Why should you run away from me?"

"Not from you, Uncle Indefer, but from him."

"And why from him?"

"Because I don't love him." "How am I to know?"

"You do know! Who put it there?"

"I suppose it was Uncle Indefer." "As to what, Uncle Indefer?" She knew very well what was the matter
in which, as he said, he could not help himself. Had there been "You ought to do so, Uncle Indefer. What should a man obey but his
conscience?"

"Though it will break my heart."

"No; no, no!" Whereupon Uncle Indefer grunted. The more he saw of the man, the less
he himself liked the idea of sacrificing Isabel to such a husband. "I
shall certainly do my best to carry out your wishes." carried on. There had come no time in which this Indefer Jones had
been about to be married, and the former old man having been given to Mr Indefer Jones, who was now between seventy and eighty years old,
was a gentleman who through his whole life had been disturbed by "And so have I, Uncle Indefer; and as my conscience is backed by my
inclination, whereas yours is not--"

"You think that I shall give way?"

"I did not mean that." London office to which he was attached, that he had sown his wild
oats, then Uncle Indefer began to ask himself why all his dearest
wishes should not be carried out together by a marriage between the Llanfeare. Ever since I have known him, Uncle Indefer has been all
love to me. I would not allow a thought of mine to be polluted by to him, and I am bound to keep to that. He will have understood that
at the present moment I am breaking my promise through a mistake of
Uncle Indefer's which I could not have anticipated." "I am angry with him," said the attorney in wrath, "because he
deceived you and deceived me about the property."

"Never; he deceived no one. Uncle Indefer and deceit never went
together." "You should not say that, Uncle Indefer. It is not true. I care
enough for the family to sympathise with you altogether in what you "She would have much more," said Uncle Indefer angrily. "She knows
every man, woman, and child about the place. There is not one of them glory and her martyrdom all to herself. No human being should ever
hear from her lips a word of complaint against her Uncle Indefer. altogether odious to his brother Indefer. Nevertheless the boy which
had come from this marriage, a younger Henry, had been educated at
his expense, and had occasionally been received at Llanfeare. He between himself and his uncle. Could they who had known old Indefer
Jones for so many years, and were aware that he had been governed
by the highest sense of honour through his entire life, could they
CHAPTER IV

The Squire's Death CHAPTER I

Uncle Indefer "Uncle Indefer," she said, "how is it with you? Uncle Indefer, speak
to me!" He moved his head a little upon the pillow; he turned his altogether odious to his brother Indefer. Nevertheless the boy which
had come from this marriage, a younger Henry, had been educated at
his expense, and had occasionally been received at Llanfeare. He On the day after the reading of the will, Henry Indefer Jones, Esq.,
of Llanfeare, as he was now to be called, was left alone in his Llanfeare. Ever since I have known him, Uncle Indefer has been all
love to me. I would not allow a thought of mine to be polluted by Then followed the business as to the charge upon the property which
was to be made on behalf of Isabel. The deeds were prepared, and only
required the signature of the new Squire. "I'm sure she is all that you say, Uncle Indefer," he replied.

Uncle Indefer grunted, and told him that if he wanted any supper, he
had better go and get it. London office to which he was attached, that he had sown his wild
oats, then Uncle Indefer began to ask himself why all his dearest
wishes should not be carried out together by a marriage between the Mr Indefer Jones, who was now between seventy and eighty years old,
was a gentleman who through his whole life had been disturbed by of the Pembroke Lion, should reign at Llanfeare in the place of
an Indefer Jones had been abominable to him. To prevent that had "She would have much more," said Uncle Indefer angrily. "She knows
every man, woman, and child about the place. There is not one of them I. Uncle Indefer
      II. Isabel Brodrick
     III. Cousin Henry
      IV. The Squire's Death will have to put himself into a witness-box, and then probably we may
learn something of the truth as to the last will and testament made
by Mr Indefer Jones." All this reached Hereford, and was of course There was a great deal said at Carmarthen about the old Squire's
will. Such scenes as that which had taken place in the house, first "You ought to do so, Uncle Indefer. What should a man obey but his
conscience?"

"Though it will break my heart."

"No; no, no!" "The Squire was very weak when he made that will, sir," said the
clerk. "Just at that time he was only coming down to the dining-room, Squire of Llanfeare. There was nothing that he was not ready to do to
please and conciliate his uncle. Llanfeare without Isabel as a burden himself should be the last, leaving Llanfeare to his nephew on
condition that he should prefix the name of Indefer to that of Jones,
and adding certain stipulations as to further entail. Then everything If it was to be that her cousin should live there as squire and owner
of Llanfeare, why should she seek to damage his character by calling
in question the will under which he would inherit the property? Thus
CHAPTER IX

Alone at Llanfeare was for Llanfeare. It was to be Llanfeare or nothing. The position
offered to him was to come, not from love, but from a sense of duty of Llanfeare. There would be a delight to him in the character which
he would thus achieve. But then she had scorned him! No bitterer to Llanfeare, and live there as though she was herself the owner.
That, indeed, did not require much consideration. It was altogether
out of the question, and only dwelt in her thoughts as showing how to have, at some not very distant time, all Llanfeare in her own
hands. It was said of her, and said truly, that she was possessed Llanfeare. Ever since I have known him, Uncle Indefer has been all
love to me. I would not allow a thought of mine to be polluted by Llanfeare? In spite of Mr Apjohn's good-natured explanations, the
public of Carmarthen was quite convinced that Henry Jones had in "What is it that has occurred, Mr Jones, since I was up at Llanfeare
yesterday?"

"I don't think that I could tell you here."

"Where, then?" uncle at Llanfeare. There she had lived for the last ten years,
making occasional visits to her father at Hereford. possession of Llanfeare. He was full of the idea that a great deal
was due to Isabel. A great deal was certainly due to Isabel, if only, been seen. Whether Mr Apjohn himself did or did not believe that it
had been so, others would not think it. Among the tenants and the
servants at Llanfeare there was a general feeling that something unlike a Jones of Llanfeare. Then had come the time in which Isabel
had been brought to Llanfeare. Henry had been sent away from Oxford
for some offence not altogether trivial, and the Squire had declared There would be great delight in possessing Llanfeare, if he could
in very truth possess it. He would not live there. No; certainly Llanfeare, had told him that he was to be the heir, had informed him
that a new will had been made in his favour. After his uncle's death Everything at Llanfeare had had an interest for her. Then had come
that sudden change in her uncle's feelings,--that new idea of well understood at Llanfeare. Mr Apjohn had been sent for on such
occasions, and had returned after a day or two, accompanied by two well known in the county, had been spoken well of by all men. The
idea that Llanfeare should belong to her had been received with
favour. Then had come that altered intention in the old squire's "So she shall, if Mr Henry Jones be firmly established at Llanfeare.
It was explained to me before why your daughter, as owner of missing will. No, he would not willingly live at Llanfeare. But if he
could let Llanfeare, were it but for a song, and enjoy the rents up "Then he has changed his mind," said her father angrily. "He did mean
to make you his heiress?"

"Henry is at Llanfeare now, and Henry will be his heir."
in Carmarthen. Had he not by the unconsidered act of that moment
committed some crime for which he could be prosecuted and sent Such were the feelings and such were the words spoken at Carmarthen;
and it need only be said further, in regard to Carmarthen, that the Carmarthenshire. It was not his desire to push forward his suit
with the heiress of Llanfeare. He had been rejected on what he had CHAPTER XVIII

Cousin Henry Goes to Carmarthen Mr Apjohn took her to Carmarthen, and hence on to Llanfeare. At the
station there were many to meet her, so that her triumph, as she got He went to Carmarthen, and there his courage was subjected to a
terrible trial. He was called upon to declare before the official travel as far as Carmarthen. There were the horses and the carriage
with which his uncle had been accustomed to be taken about the
estate, and there was still the old coachman, who had been in the to carry it with him to Carmarthen in his pocket. But when he
attempted to enclose it in an envelope for the purpose, his mind Then the newspapers reached them. When it became clear to him that
there existed in Carmarthenshire so strong a doubt as to the validity He had been sent for, and all Carmarthenshire had been made to
understand why it was to be so. Then, in his sickness, the old man
had changed his mind through some fantastic feeling, and almost Henry was afraid. "You cannot but be aware of what is going on in
Carmarthen." been supreme. Even at Carmarthen, when she was seen there, she
was regarded as the great lady, the acknowledged heiress, who was and,--which was of more importance to Carmarthen at the present
moment,--there was to be no trial! The story, as told publicly, was It was told of him how he lived in the one room, how rarely he left
the house, how totally he was without occupation. More than the truth
was repeated as to his habits, till all Carmarthenshire believed that of a gentleman taking his own carriage through the streets on such an
occasion as this? They are so prying into everything in Carmarthen.
Now, when they see the Bush fly, they won't think as anybody "The carriage, sir!" said the butler, as though surprised. Then the
owner of Llanfeare found himself compelled to explain to his own man
that it was necessary that he should see the lawyer in Carmarthen. His resolution as to the first portion of the above letter was taken
as he returned in the carriage from Carmarthen; but it was not until There was a great deal said at Carmarthen about the old Squire's
will. Such scenes as that which had taken place in the house, first Cousin Henry's journey into Carmarthen had been made on the previous
Thursday, and since that day no new steps had been taken to unravel It may be added that, notorious as the whole affair was at
Carmarthen, but little of Cousin Henry's wicked doings were known up
in London.
"Uncle Indefer," she said, "how is it with you? Uncle Indefer, speak
to me!" He moved his head a little upon the pillow; he turned his CHAPTER I

Uncle Indefer "I'm sure she is all that you say, Uncle Indefer," he replied.

Uncle Indefer grunted, and told him that if he wanted any supper, he
had better go and get it. often to the exclusion of Isabel. Now it had come to pass that Uncle
Indefer was never at his ease unless his niece were with him. "As to what, Uncle Indefer?" She knew very well what was the matter
in which, as he said, he could not help himself. Had there been "Why should you run away from me?"

"Not from you, Uncle Indefer, but from him."

"And why from him?"

"Because I don't love him." "She would have much more," said Uncle Indefer angrily. "She knows
every man, woman, and child about the place. There is not one of them "And so have I, Uncle Indefer; and as my conscience is backed by my
inclination, whereas yours is not--"

"You think that I shall give way?"

"I did not mean that." glory and her martyrdom all to herself. No human being should ever
hear from her lips a word of complaint against her Uncle Indefer. "You should not say that, Uncle Indefer. It is not true. I care
enough for the family to sympathise with you altogether in what you "How am I to know?"

"You do know! Who put it there?"

"I suppose it was Uncle Indefer." "You ought to do so, Uncle Indefer. What should a man obey but his
conscience?"

"Though it will break my heart."

"No; no, no!" "Never; never! That lesson would be impossible to me. Now let there
be an end of it. Uncle Indefer has, I dare say, asked you to make
this proposition." Whereupon Uncle Indefer grunted. The more he saw of the man, the less
he himself liked the idea of sacrificing Isabel to such a husband. "I
shall certainly do my best to carry out your wishes." London office to which he was attached, that he had sown his wild
oats, then Uncle Indefer began to ask himself why all his dearest
wishes should not be carried out together by a marriage between the after her uncle's death. As simple Isabel Brodrick she might marry
whom she would without bringing discredit upon the Indefer Joneses.
But that which she had been constrained to do before her uncle had "I am angry with him," said the attorney in wrath, "because he
deceived you and deceived me about the property."

"Never; he deceived no one. Uncle Indefer and deceit never went
together." to him, and I am bound to keep to that. He will have understood that
at the present moment I am breaking my promise through a mistake of
Uncle Indefer's which I could not have anticipated." "That is very soon. I am so sorry that you are to leave us! But I
suppose it is best that dear Uncle Indefer should not be left alone." importance was to be made to her,--"it turns out that after all your
Uncle Indefer did make another will."
but because he thinks it ought to go to the male heir. I quite agree
with him that these things should not be governed by affection. He is
so good that he will certainly do what he believes to be his duty." "As to your cousin and the property."

"Then in God's name do not trouble yourself further in looking for
help where there is none to be had. You mean that the estate ought to
go to a man and not to a woman?" Having much considered the matter, he had thought the estate should
descend to the male heir, even in default of a regular deed of
entail. Therefore, although his love for his dearest niece, Isabel entail the property. You, no doubt, will have children, and will take
care that in due course it shall go to the eldest boy. There can be was a religion to him that a landed estate in Britain should go from
father to eldest son, and in default of a son to the first male heir. inheritance to himself,--and so he thought, no doubt, was hers as to
herself. It might be that the old man's intention would depend upon And then there was an idea present to him through it all that
abstract justice, if abstract justice could be reached, would declare
that the property should be his. The old man had made his will with reasons. He told me that he thought it right to keep the property in
the direct line of his family. I endeavoured to explain to him that
this might be sufficiently done though the property were left to a will in truth be found to be the last will and testament of the old
Squire, then it would be his duty to declare that the estate and
everything upon it belonged to Cousin Henry, and that there would be, the idea that the place should pass away out of what he regarded as
the proper male line. To his thinking it was simply an accident that
the power of disposing of the property should be in his hands. It have been better that the whole thing should have been settled for
him by an entail? And, if so, how could it be right that he should
act in opposition to the spirit of such an entail, merely because he primogeniture in respect of land. Though Isabel was ever so sweet,
duty was duty. Who was he that he should dare to say to himself that
he could break through what he believed to be a law on his conscience and subsequent to the funeral, he had heard a will read, and under
that will had inherited the property. As far as he believed, or
at any rate as far as he knew, that was his uncle's last will and be without consolation if with the estate might be made to pass
away from him all responsibilities and all accusations as to the
estate. That terrible man had almost promised him that a way of "Yes; I had intended that you should be my heir, and have called you
hither for that purpose. Now I find you to be so poor a creature that did not begrudge him the estate. She had acknowledged the strength of
the reasons which had induced the Squire to name him as heir; but she
declared to herself that, if that latter document were not found, a on the property. Now, within the last few days, Mr Apjohn had learnt
that there were no funds remaining for the payment of such a legacy.
The will, therefore, was to him thoroughly distasteful. Should that the man whom she believed to be robbing her of the estate she felt
quite sure. It could not be her duty to bring poverty on a man whom
she loved,--especially not as she had refused to confer wealth upon "Yes; about the property. I believe he has made a will leaving it to
you. I believe he has done this, not because he loves you the best, altogether in opposition to his own advice, and having thus created
that "scolding" of which the Squire had complained to Isabel. This
will bequeathed the whole of the property to Cousin Henry. It did
"Uncle Indefer," she said, "how is it with you? Uncle Indefer, speak
to me!" He moved his head a little upon the pillow; he turned his "I'm sure she is all that you say, Uncle Indefer," he replied.

Uncle Indefer grunted, and told him that if he wanted any supper, he
had better go and get it. CHAPTER I

Uncle Indefer "Why should you run away from me?"

"Not from you, Uncle Indefer, but from him."

"And why from him?"

"Because I don't love him." "And so have I, Uncle Indefer; and as my conscience is backed by my
inclination, whereas yours is not--"

"You think that I shall give way?"

"I did not mean that." "As to what, Uncle Indefer?" She knew very well what was the matter
in which, as he said, he could not help himself. Had there been "She would have much more," said Uncle Indefer angrily. "She knows
every man, woman, and child about the place. There is not one of them altogether odious to his brother Indefer. Nevertheless the boy which
had come from this marriage, a younger Henry, had been educated at
his expense, and had occasionally been received at Llanfeare. He male heir has availed much in the doing of it. But in this case, in
sticking to the custom, he would have lost the spirit, and, as far Having much considered the matter, he had thought the estate should
descend to the male heir, even in default of a regular deed of
entail. Therefore, although his love for his dearest niece, Isabel "You ought to do so, Uncle Indefer. What should a man obey but his
conscience?"

"Though it will break my heart."

"No; no, no!" the table, while his uncle fumed and grunted. During every moment
that was so passed Uncle Indefer was asking himself whether that
British custom as to male heirs was absolutely essential to the Whereupon Uncle Indefer grunted. The more he saw of the man, the less
he himself liked the idea of sacrificing Isabel to such a husband. "I
shall certainly do my best to carry out your wishes." to him, and I am bound to keep to that. He will have understood that
at the present moment I am breaking my promise through a mistake of
Uncle Indefer's which I could not have anticipated." "You should not say that, Uncle Indefer. It is not true. I care
enough for the family to sympathise with you altogether in what you London office to which he was attached, that he had sown his wild
oats, then Uncle Indefer began to ask himself why all his dearest
wishes should not be carried out together by a marriage between the but because he thinks it ought to go to the male heir. I quite agree
with him that these things should not be governed by affection. He is
so good that he will certainly do what he believes to be his duty." glory and her martyrdom all to herself. No human being should ever
hear from her lips a word of complaint against her Uncle Indefer. "I am angry with him," said the attorney in wrath, "because he
deceived you and deceived me about the property."

"Never; he deceived no one. Uncle Indefer and deceit never went
together." himself should be the last, leaving Llanfeare to his nephew on
condition that he should prefix the name of Indefer to that of Jones,
and adding certain stipulations as to further entail. Then everything
postponed. But Cousin Henry assented to the proposition and took his
departure. Now he had committed himself to some revelation, and the Having thus comforted his client, Mr Apjohn took his leave.




CHAPTER XV

Cousin Henry Makes Another Attempt His brother Henry was then alive; but Henry had disgraced the
family,--had run away with a married woman whom he had married after
a divorce, had taken to race courses and billiard-rooms, and had been Henry could see it all now! So, at least, Cousin Henry told himself. to him so strongly on the subject that he did not dare to repeat his
request. And yet, he thought, there was no good reason why they two
should not become man and wife. Henry, as far as he could learn, had Cousin Henry, as the door had been opened, and as the man's footstep
had been heard, had made up his mind that on this occasion he could While he was so arguing, Cousin Henry was trying his hand with
Isabel. There had been but a week for him to do it, and three days "Then Henry has not destroyed it?"

"No, he did not destroy it."

"Nor hid it where we could not find it?"

"Nor did he hide it." to do so." He paused a moment, but Cousin Henry was silent, and he
continued, "For many years I was your uncle's lawyer, as was my From what had passed with Mrs Griffith, it was clear to Cousin Henry
that he must go out of the house and be seen about the place. The made. Cousin Henry took his place at the further end of the table
from the fire, about six feet from the spot on which all his thoughts
were intent. There he stood, ready for action while the attorney Henry. So much the old man had said to Isabel himself. "If I think
it proper, he has no right to scold me," the old man had said. The "Sit down there, Henry, and I will tell you why we cannot do that. I
do not love you in the least."

"You might learn to love me." "What has occurred?" Cousin Henry groaned terribly as the moment for
revelation came upon him. And he felt that he had made the moment "Yes; it does come," said Cousin Henry, with the faintest attempt at
a smile.

"And you have read what they say?"

"Yes, the most of it." It will be seen how he had endeavoured to reconcile things. When
it was found that Henry Jones was working like a steady man at the At Coed he found the farmer in his own farmyard.

"I have come to you in great trouble," said Cousin Henry, beginning
his story. For some minutes Cousin Henry sat perfectly motionless, and then he
got up very softly, very silently, and tried the door. It was closed, "They are very cruel; I know that," said Cousin Henry, whining.

"All such accusations are cruel, if they be false."

"These are false; damnably false." The clerk had made his way into the book-room in which Cousin Henry
was sitting, and stood there over him while he was reading the
His brother Henry was then alive; but Henry had disgraced the
family,--had run away with a married woman whom he had married after
a divorce, had taken to race courses and billiard-rooms, and had been Cousin Henry, to whom we may be now allowed to bid farewell, was
permitted to remain within the seclusion of the house at Llanfeare Henry could see it all now! So, at least, Cousin Henry told himself. altogether odious to his brother Indefer. Nevertheless the boy which
had come from this marriage, a younger Henry, had been educated at
his expense, and had occasionally been received at Llanfeare. He book-room. But here Cousin Henry had now placed himself, and here he
remained through the whole day, though it was not believed of him
that he was given to much reading. For his breakfast and his supper At Coed he found the farmer in his own farmyard.

"I have come to you in great trouble," said Cousin Henry, beginning
his story. From what had passed with Mrs Griffith, it was clear to Cousin Henry
that he must go out of the house and be seen about the place. The made. Cousin Henry took his place at the further end of the table
from the fire, about six feet from the spot on which all his thoughts
were intent. There he stood, ready for action while the attorney after him had died without issue. Then there had been a Henry Jones,
who had gone away and married, had become the father of the Henry
Jones above mentioned, and had then also departed. The youngest, a to him so strongly on the subject that he did not dare to repeat his
request. And yet, he thought, there was no good reason why they two
should not become man and wife. Henry, as far as he could learn, had The clerk had made his way into the book-room in which Cousin Henry
was sitting, and stood there over him while he was reading the It was about ten when they reached the house, and, on being shown
into the book-room, they found Cousin Henry at his breakfast. The Having thus comforted his client, Mr Apjohn took his leave.




CHAPTER XV

Cousin Henry Makes Another Attempt CHAPTER XVIII

Cousin Henry Goes to Carmarthen and that Cousin Henry was in possession of the property. He had
regarded Isabel and the property as altogether separated from each
other. Now he learned that such was not the general opinion in The keys were given up to Cousin Henry, and he found himself to
be, in fact, the lord and master of the house, and the owner of Henry. So much the old man had said to Isabel himself. "If I think
it proper, he has no right to scold me," the old man had said. The CHAPTER III

Cousin Henry Cousin Henry, as the door had been opened, and as the man's footstep
had been heard, had made up his mind that on this occasion he could Henry was afraid. "You cannot but be aware of what is going on in
Carmarthen."
Who initially inherits the estate after Indefor Jones passes away? What secret is Henry trying to keep from being discovered? Why doesn't Henry destroy the document he found? Who suspects that Henry is hiding something? Why did Mr. Apjon want Henry to take legal action against the editor of the newspaper? Who finds the updated will ?  What consequences did Henry face after the will was discovered?  What is the name of Indefor Jones' manor? Why did Indefor Jones originally leave his estate to his nephew when he wanted to leave it to his niece? How is Isabel Brodrick related to Indefer Jones? In what way do Indefer Jones' traditional beliefs influence him? Who is Indefer Jones' only male relative? What does Henry do for a living? What does Indefer suggest to Isabel as a solution to the inheritance dilemma? What are Isabel's feelings toward her cousin Henry? What does Indefer Jones do shortly before passing away? Where does Henry find his uncle's will? What does the local newspaper accuse Henry of having done? Why is Henry able to return to his job, reputation intact? How old in Indefer? What does Indefer do? What is the name of the manor where Indefer is the squire? What city is Llanfeare located in? In which country is Carmarthen? Who is Indefer's niece? According to tradition, who should an estate be bequeathed to? Who is Indefer's only male heir? What does Henry do? Where does Henry live?
His nephew, Henry Jones Henry 
A document that leaves the estate to Isabel The will was changed 
He is afraid of the consequences he would face He isn't evil enough to do so.
Mr. Apjon, Indefors lawyer The local newspaper.
He suspected that Henry had information about Indefors will Publishing libelous and insulting accounts.
Mr. Apjon and Mr. Brodrick Henry
Because he did not destroy it he was allowed to return to his job and Isabel inherited the estate He is allowed to return to his job in London and receives 4000 lbs
Llanfeare Llanfeare.
His strong traditional beliefs were to leave is to the first male heir Because that was tradition
She is his neice. His niece.
He feels his estate should be bequeathed to a male heir. He wants to bequeath his estate to a male heir
His nephew, Henry Jones. His nephew Henry Jones
He is a clerk in London. London clerk.
That she marry her cousin Henry. That she marry her cousin Henry who is the only male heir
She does not like him. She cannot stand him.
He changes his will in favor of Isabel instead of Henry. He changes his will. 
Hidden in a book of sermons. The library.
Destroying the will so he could inherit the estate. Destroying the will 
Because he did not destroy the will. Because he did not destroy the will.
70-80 Between 70 and 80 years old
he is a squire He is the squire.
Llanfeare Llanfeare.
Carmarthen Carmarthen
Wales Wales
Isabel Brodrick Isabel.
a male heir A male heir.
his nephew Henry Jones Henry.
he is a clerk Returns to his job in London.
London London.