Mrs.Vanstone's condition rendered any such interview as the lawyer desired a total impossibility.

If she rallied from her present prostration, Miss Garth should be at once informed of the improvement.

In the meantime, the answer to Mr.Pendril might be conveyed in one word--Impossible.
"You see what importance Mr.Pendril attaches to the interview ?" said Miss Garth.
Yes: both the doctors saw it.
"My mind is lost and confused, gentlemen, in this dreadful suspense.
Can you either of you guess why the signature is wanted?
or what the object of the interview may be?
I have only seen Mr.Pendril when he has come here on former visits: I have no claim to justify me in questioning him.

Will you look at the letter again?
Do you think it implies that Mr.
Vanstone has never made a will ?" "I think it can hardly imply that," said one of the doctors.

"But, even supposing Mr.Vanstone to have died intestate, the law takes due care of the interests of his widow and his children--" "Would it do so," interposed the other medical man, "if the property happened to be in land ?" "I am not sure in that case.