Mr. Dalzell was shown into the darkened drawing-room, where he was some time in discovering that Miss Melville was alone.  A few of the kind commonplaces which had been so successful on his previous visit—­remarks on the loss she had sustained, on the excellent character of her deceased uncle, and on the necessity of bearing the blow with fortitude, which her strong mind was quite capable of—­were made by Mr. Dalzell in unconsciousness that they fell very differently on Jane’s ears now.  Jane asked for his mother, and heard that she was very well, and sent her kindest regards and condolences, and hoped that the Misses Melville would be able to see her on the following day.

“Were there many people at the funeral?” asked Jane.

“Oh yes, a great man; Mr. Hogarth was so extensively known, and so much respected.”

“Were there any strangers?”

“Several—­to me,” said Dalzell.

“Did you observe no one in particular?”

“Yes, a gentleman from Edinburgh, said to be a protege of your uncle’s, who took rather a prominent place on account of there being no male relative surviving.”

“Have you heard,” said Jane, with an effort—­“have you heard anything of the will?”

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

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

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

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

The bewildered young man tried to read the paper put into his hand, but he could not follow the written words.  Jane’s sad face and her manner convinced him, however, that she was telling him the truth.

“Now,” said Jane kindly, “you have talked a great deal of nonsense to me when my position was very different; but I am quite aware that things are altogether changed.  I will not feel at all hurt or angry about it.  We part perfectly good friends.  But you cannot afford to marry a wife without money, and I should be sorry to be a burden to any man.”