“How does the will concern us?” asked Agnes, catching Noel’s hand with a tremor, for she could scarcely grasp the hints of the lawyer.

“Mrs. Stanley, my dear lady, had a great regard for you since you nursed her through a dangerous illness.  Also you were, as she put it, a good and true wife to her grandson.  Therefore, as she approved of you and of your second marriage, she has left the entire fortune of your late husband to you and to Lord Garvington here.”

“Never!” cried Lambert growing pale, while his wife gasped with astonishment.

“It is true, and here is the proof,” Jarwin shook the parchment, “one million to you, Lord Garvington, and one million to your wife.  Listen, if you please,” and the solicitor read the document in a formal manner which left no doubt as to the truth of his amazing news.  When he finished the lucky couple looked at one another scarcely able to speak.  It was Agnes who recovered her voice first.

“Oh, it can’t be true—­it can’t be true,” she cried.  “Noel, pinch me, for I must be dreaming.”

“It is true, as the will gives you to understand,” said the lawyer, smiling in his dry way, “and if I may be permitted to say so, Lady Garvington, never was money more rightfully inherited.  You surrendered everything for the sake of true love, and it is only just that you should be rewarded.  If Mrs. Stanley had lived she intended to keep five or six thousand for herself so that she could transport certain gypsies to America, but she would undoubtedly have made a deed of gift of the rest of the property.  Oh, what a very fortunate thing it was that she made this will,” cried Jarwin, genuinely moved at the thought of the possible loss of the millions, “for her unforeseen death would have spoiled everything if I had not the forethought to suggest the testament.”

“It is to you we owe our good fortune.”

“To Mrs. Gentilla Stanley—­and to me partially.  I only ask for my reward that you will continue to allow me to see after the property.  The fees,” added Jarwin with his dry cough, “will be considerable.”

“You can rob us if you like,” said Noel, slapping him on the back.  “Well, to say that I am glad is to speak weakly.  I am overjoyed.  With this money we can restore the fortunes of the family again.”

“They will be placed higher than they have ever been before,” cried Agnes with a shining face.  “Two millions.  Oh, what a lot of good we can do.”

“To yourselves?” inquired Jarwin dryly.

“And to others also,” said Lambert gravely.  “God has been so good to us that we must be good to others.”

“Then be good to me, Lord Garvington,” said the solicitor, putting away the will in his bag, “for I am dying of hunger.  A little luncheon—­”

“A very big one.”