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Page 35
"Possibly, then, there is nothing I can do," remarked Collingwood.
"I should say you'll do a lot by merely going there," answered Eldrick.
"As I said just now, they've few friends, and no relations, and I hear
that Mrs. Mallathorpe is absolutely knocked over. Go, by all means--a
bit of sympathy goes a long way on these occasions. I say!--what a
regular transformation an affair of this sort produces. Do you know,
that young fellow, just like his uncle, had not made any will! Fact!--I
had it from Robson, their solicitor, this very morning. The whole of the
estate comes to the sister, of course--she and the mother will share the
personal property. By that lad's death, Nesta Mallathorpe becomes one of
the wealthiest young women in Yorkshire!"
Collingwood made no reply to this communication. But as he drove off to
Normandale Grange, it was fresh in his mind. And it was not very
pleasant to him. One of the wealthiest young women in Yorkshire!--and he
was already realizing that he would like to make Nesta Mallathorpe his
wife: it was because he felt what he did for her that he had rushed down
to do anything he could that would be of help. Supposing--only
supposing--that people--anybody--said that he was fortune-hunting!
Somewhat unduly sensitive, proud, almost to a fault, he felt his cheek
redden at the thought, and for a moment he wished that old John
Mallathorpe's wealth had never passed to his niece. But then he sneered
at himself for his presumption.
"Ass!" he said. "She's never even thought of me--in that way, most
likely! Anyway, I'm a stupid fool for thinking of these things at
present."
But he knew, within a few minutes of entering the big, desolate-looking
house, that Nesta had been thinking of him. She came to him in the room
where they had first met, and quietly gave him her hand.
"I was not surprised when they told me you were here," she said. "I was
thinking about you--or, rather, expecting to hear from you."
"I came at once," answered Collingwood, who had kept her hand in his.
"I--well, I couldn't stop away. I thought, perhaps, I could do
something--be of some use."
"It's a great deal of use to have just--come," she said. "Thank you!
But--I suppose you'll have to go?"
"Not for two days, anyway," he replied. "What can I do?"
"I don't know that you can actually do anything," she answered.
"Everything is being done. Mr. Eldrick sent his clerk, Mr. Pratt--who
found Harper--he's been most kind and useful. He--and our own
solicitor--are making all arrangements. There's got to be an inquest.
No--I don't know that you can do actual things. But--while you're
here--you can look in when you like. My mother is very ill--she has
scarcely spoken since Saturday."
"I'll tell you what I will do," said Collingwood determinedly. "I
noticed in coming through the village just now that there's quite a
decent inn there. I'll go down and arrange to stay there until Wednesday
evening--then I shall be close by--if you should need me."
He saw by her look of quick appreciation and relief that this suggestion
pleased her. She pressed his hand and withdrew her own. "Thank you
again!" she said. "Do you know--I can't quite explain--I should be glad
if you were close at hand? Everybody has been very kind--but I do feel
that there is nobody I can talk to. If you arrange this, will you come
in again this evening?"
"I shall arrange it," answered Collingwood. "I'll see to it now. Tell
your people I am to be brought in whenever I call. And--I'll be close by
whenever you want me."
It seemed little to say, little to do, but he left her feeling that he
was being of some use. And as he went off to make his arrangements at
the inn he encountered Pratt, who was talking to the butler in the outer
hall.
The clerk looked at Collingwood with an unconcern and a composure which
he was able to assume because he had already heard of his presence in
the house. Inwardly, he was malignantly angry that the young barrister
was there, but his voice was suave, and polite enough when he spoke.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Collingwood," he said quietly. "Very sad occasion
on which we meet again, sir. Come to offer your sympathy, Mr.
Collingwood, of course--very kind of you."
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