It was an ingenious fabrication, and Mrs. Middleton plumed herself upon it.
"Poor boy!" she said, with a hypocritical sigh, "his was a sad fate."
"It was, indeed," said the lawyer; "but," he added, dryly, "you have no cause to regret it, since it secures the estate."
"Don't mention it, Mr. Brief. It is sad to profit by such a tragedy."
"You don't take a business view of it, madame. Such things happen, and if we can't prevent them, we may as well profit by them."
"Of course I will not refuse what has fallen in my way," said Mrs. Middleton; "but I had formed the plan, if I found the boy alive, of bringing him home and educating him for his position. He would not have let me want."
"Don't she do it well, though?" thought Rudolph, who heard all this with a cynical admiration for the ex-governess. "If I was a gentleman, I'd make up to her, and make her Mrs. Rugg if she'd say the word."
"You think this man's evidence will substantiate my claim to the estate?" she asked, after a pause.
"I should say there was no doubt on that point, unless, of course, his evidence is impeached or contradicted."
"That is hardly likely, Mr. Brief. The poor man suffered much at the death of the boy, to whom he was ardently attached."
"So you loved the boy, Mr. Rugg?" said the lawyer.
"Oh, uncommon," said Rudolph. "He was my pet, and the apple of my eye. We was always together, Tony and I."
"He couldn't bear me out of his sight; he looked upon me as a father, sir."
"If he'd come into the estate, he would probably have provided for you," suggested the lawyer, watching him keenly.
"So it's a personal loss to you--the death of the boy."
"Mrs. Middleton probably will not forget your services to the boy."
"No, sir. I shall, of course, do something for Mr. Rugg, though not as much, perhaps, as my poor cousin would have done. Mr. Rugg, will you see me to my carriage?"
Mrs. Middleton was anxious to go away. The conversation had taken a turn which she did not like. It almost seemed as if the lawyer was trying to find out something, and she thought it best to get Rudolph away from the influence, lest Mr. Brief should catechise him, and draw out something to her disadvantage.
"Mr. Rugg," she said, as they were going down stairs, "I advise you not to go near Mr. Brief again."