He had been away from his office upon business that evening, and had only just received the tidings of the silversmith's death.
Luke Tulliver handed him the books and keys of the cases in which the tarnished plate was exhibited.

He went into all the details of the business carefully, setting his seal upon books and papers, and doing all that he could to make matters secure without hindrance to the carrying on of the trade.
He was surprised to hear that Mrs.Holbrook was in the house, and proposed paying his respects to her that evening; but this Mr.Nowell prevented.

She was tired and out of spirits, he told the attorney; it would be better for him to see her next day.

It was convenient to Mr.
Nowell to forget Marian's intention of returning to Hampshire by an early train on the following morning at this juncture.
When he went back to the parlour by-and-by, after Mr.Medler had finished his business in the shop, and was trudging briskly towards his own residence, Mr.Nowell told his daughter that the lawyer had been there, but did not inform her of his desire to see her.
"I suppose you know all about your grandfather's will ?" he said by-and-by, when he had half-finished another cigar.
Marian had put away her book by this time, and was looking dreamily at the fire, thinking of her husband, who need never know those weary sordid cares about money again, now that she was to be rich.
Her father's question startled her out of that agreeable day-dream.
"Yes," she said; "my grandfather told me that he had left all his money to me.

I know that must seem unjust to you, papa; but I hope my husband will allow me to do something towards repairing that injustice in some measure." "In some measure!" Mr.Nowell thought savagely.