"I think we shall sooner get at Sir Wycherly's wishes, by allowing him to take his own course." The other bowed, and appeared disposed to acquiesce.

In the mean time preparations were making for the construction of the will.

Atwood seated himself at a table near the bed, and commenced nibbing his pens; the medical men administered a cordial; Sir Gervaise caused all the witnesses to range themselves around the room, in a way that each might fairly see, and be seen; taking care, however, so to dispose of Wycherly, as to leave no doubt of his handsome person's coming into the sick man's view.

The lieutenant's modesty might have rebelled at this arrangement, had he not found himself immediately at the side of Mildred..