named Mrs. Gallantry, here at Hollingford, becomes trustee for a considerable sum to be used in founding a training school for domestic servants—­to be named the Lady Ogram.  Then there’s a long list of minor charitable bequests.  All the servants are most liberally treated, and a few friends in humble circumstances receive annuities.  There is not much fear of Lady Ogram being forgotten just yet, is there?”

“No, indeed,” said Lashmar, with studious control of his voice.  “And”—­he paused a moment—­“is that all?”

“Let me see—­Oh, I was forgetting.  Some money is left to Miss Bride; not to her absolutely, but in trust for certain purposes not specified.”

Mrs. Toplady’s smile had never been more eloquent of mischievous pleasure.  She was watching Lashmar as one watches a comedian on the stage, without the least disguise of her amusement.

“I had heard something of that,” said Dyce, the tension of whose feelings began to show itself in a flush under the eyes.  “Can you tell me—­”

“Oh,” broke in the other, “I’ve forgotten a detail that will interest you.  In the entrance hall of the Lady Ogram Hospital is to be preserved that beautiful bust which you have seen at the Rivenoak.  By the bye, there are odd stories about it.  I hear that it was brought out of concealment only the day before her death.”

“Yes.  I know nothing more about it.  With regard to Miss Bride’s trusteeship—­”

“Oh, and I forgot that Hollingford is to have a fine market-hall, on condition that the street leading to it is called Arabella Street—­ her name, you know.”

“Oh, indeed!” murmured Dyce, and became mute.

Mrs. Toplady amused herself for a moment with observation of the play of his muscles.  She finished her tea.

“I’ll have another cup, if you please.—­Oh yes, we were speaking of Miss Bride.  Naturally, that interests you.  An odd bequest, isn’t it?  She is spoken of as a trustee, but evidently the disposal of the money is quite at her own discretion.  If I remember, there are words to the effect that Lady Ogram wishes Miss Bride to use this money just as she herself would have done, for the purposes in which they were both particularly interested.  By the bye, it isn’t money only; Miss Bride becomes owner of the paper-mill at the village by Rivenoak.”

“I had heard of this,” said Lashmar, with a brusque movement as though he felt cramp in his leg.  He had begun to look cheerful.  “I knew all about Lady Ogram’s intentions.  You don’t remember,” he added carelessly, “the amount of the bequest?”

“Mr. Kerchever tells me it represents about seventy thousand pounds.”

Lashmar involuntarily heaved a sigh.  Mrs. Toplady watched him over the rim of her teacup, the hand which held it shaking a little with subdued mirth.

“As you say,” he observed, “it’s a most remarkable will.  But it seems rather too bad that the poor lady’s real wishes should be totally neglected.”