CHAPTER I. A FAMILY CONCLAVE
CHAPTER II. SWIFT RETRIBUTION
CHAPTER III. THE SEARCH COMMENCED
CHAPTER IV. EVIL DAYS
CHAPTER V. OVERTURES FROM THE ENEMY
CHAPTER VI. THE PRIEST'S CHAMBER
CHAPTER VII. THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE
CHAPTER VIII. STRUGGLES FOR A LIVING
CHAPTER IX. POLLY TO THE RESCUE
CHAPTER X. ALLIES FROM ALSATIA
CHAPTER XI. THE COUP DE MAIN
CHAPTER XII. AFTER THE BATTLE
CHAPTER XIII. A YOUNG WIDOW
For some little time after Dr. Ashleigh's carriage drove off from HarmerPlace, not a word was spoken. The scene through which its occupants hadpassed, had left a deep impression upon them—even upon Mr. Petersfield,who was by no means of a nature to be easily moved. Dr. Ashleigh feltgreatly the words he had spoken, the wrong which had been committed, andthe thought of his children's altered future. Harry felt more indignantthan hurt; he was too astonished and angry to reflect yet how much itwould affect himself. Perhaps if he had one wish more predominant thananother, it was that the Misses Harmer were but men—men of about hisown age, and that he could get them into some quiet spot—by Jove, wouldnot he find out where the will was hidden!
But Robert Gregory felt the disappointment with all its force. To himthe blow had been so overwhelming and crushing, that his fierce temperwas beaten down and mastered by it; and he had borne it with a sense ofdull despair, very unlike the passionate outburst of wrath which mighthave been expected from him. Only when Miss Harmer had turned upon himso fiercely, had the blood rushed to his cheek, and had not Dr. Ashleighinterposed, he would doubtless have given way to a burst of passion; butwith a great effort he had checked himself; desperate as he was, he knewthat Dr. Ashleigh stood in a far higher and better position in the casethan he did himself; it was to his interest that the doctor should takethe lead, for he felt that what hopes remained rested solely in him.
Dr. Ashleigh was certainly favourably impressed with his conductthroughout this trying interview; he knew that to this man the loss ofthe will was a terrible blow, the defeat of all his plots and schemes,and he was surprised and pleased that he had behaved with so muchself-control, and had avoided creating a stormy and violent scene.
"Mr. Gregory," he said at last, breaking the silence for the first timeas they were entering Canterbury, "I know that this is a grievous blowto you, as it is to us all. I think you had better follow out youroriginal plan of returning this evening to your wife in London. You cansafely leave the matter in my hands; I am, for the sake of my children,interested in this affair equally with yourself, and y