Sepia's one thought therefore
was: could not something be done to prevent the making of another
will, or the leaving of any fresh document behind him? What he
might already have done, she could nowise help; what he might yet
do, it would be well to prevent. Once more, therefore, she
impressed upon Mewks, and that in the names of Mrs. Redmain and
Lady Margaret, as well as in her own person, the absolute
necessity of learning as much as possible of what might pass
between his master and the lawyer.
Mewks was driven to the end of his wits, and they were not a few,
to find excuses for going into the room, and for delaying to go
out again, while with all his ears he listened. But both client
and lawyer were almost too careful for him; and he had learned
positively nothing when the latter rose to depart. He instantly
left the room, with the door a trifle ajar, and listening
intently, heard his master say that Mr. Brett must come again the
next morning; that he felt better, and would think over the
suggestions he had made; and that he must leave the memoranda
within his reach, on the table by his bedside. Ere the lawyer
issued, Mewks was on his way with all this to his tempter.
Sepia concluded there had been some difference of opinion between
Mr. Redmain and his adviser, and hoped that nothing had been
finally settled. Was there any way to prevent the lawyer from
seeing him again? Could she by any means get a peep at the
memoranda mentioned? She dared not suggest the thing to Hesper or
Lady Malice--of all people they were those in relation to whom
she feared their possible contents--and she dared not show
herself in Mr.
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