DISINHERITED The contents of the will created general astonishment.

There was not one in the room who didn't know the devotion of Mrs.Manning to her son Frank, yet, while speaking of him affectionately, she had treated him, as they considered, most cruelly.

Why should she have left such a dangerous power in her husband's hands?
And how was Mr.Manning affected?
He summoned to his face an expression of bewilderment and surprise, and, feeling that all eyes were fixed upon, him, he turned toward the lawyer.
"Mr.Ferret," he said, "I need hardly say that this will surprises me very much, as I see that it does the friends who are present.

Are you sure that there is no codicil ?" "I have been unable to discover any, Mr.Manning," said the lawyer, gravely, as he scanned the face of the widower keenly.
Mr.Manning applied his handkerchief to his eyes, and seemed overcome by emotion.
"I knew my dear wife's confidence in me," he said, in a tremulous voice, "but I was not prepared for such a striking manifestation of it." "Nor I," said Mr.Ferret, dryly.
"Knowing her strong attachment to Frank," paused Mr.Manning, "I feel the full extent and significance of that confidence when she leaves him so unreservedly to my care and guidance.

I hope that I may be found worthy of the trust." "I hope so, sir," said Mr.Ferret, who, sharp lawyer as he was, doubted whether all was right, and was willing that Mr.Manning should be made aware of his feeling.