He said nothing about his will, and not a word about Mary Thorne; but the doctor knew that Winterbones and a notary's clerk from Barchester had been in the bedroom a great part of the day; and, as he knew also that the great man of business was accustomed to do his most important work by the hands of such tools as these, he did not doubt but that the will had been altered and remodelled.

Indeed, he thought it more than probable, that when it was opened it would be found to be wholly different in its provisions from that which Sir Roger had already described.
"Louis is clever enough," he said, "sharp enough, I mean.

He won't squander the property." "He has good natural abilities," said the doctor.
"Excellent, excellent," said the father.

"He may do well, very well, if he can only be kept from this;" and Sir Roger held up the empty wine-glass which stood by his bedside.

"What a life he may have before him!--and to throw it away for this!" and as he spoke he took the glass and tossed it across the room.