It was the old man's wish that the will should be to that effect." "I understood from him that he did not know whether his son was alive or dead." "Indeed! I believe he had news of his son very lately." "Curious that he should not have told me, knowing as he did my interest in everything relating to Mrs.Holbrook." "Old people are apt to be close; and Jacob Nowell was about one of the closest customers I ever met with," answered the lawyer.
Gilbert left him soon after this, and chartered a hansom in the next street, which carried him back to the City.

He was very uncertain as to what he ought to do for Marian, doubtful of Mr.Medler's integrity, and yet anxious to abstain from any act that might seem uncalled for or officious.

She had her husband to look after her interests, as the lawyer had reminded him, and it was scarcely probable that Mr.Holbrook would neglect any steps necessary to secure his wife's succession to whatever property Jacob Nowell had left.

It seemed to Gilbert that he could do nothing at present, except write to Marian, telling her of his interview with the lawyer, and advising her to lose no time in placing the conduct of her affairs in more respectable hands than those of Mr.Medler.

He mentioned his own solicitors, a City firm of high standing, as gentlemen whom she might wisely trust at this crisis of her life.
This done, he could only wait the issue of events, and he tried to occupy himself as much as possible with his business at St.Helens--that business which he seriously intended getting rid of as soon as he could meet with a favourable opportunity for so doing.