Gilmore out, and then come
back and hold up my etchings for me again. Make them give you a
good lunch downstairs. Do, Gilmore, make my idle beasts of
servants give you a good lunch!"
I was too much disgusted to reply--I turned on my heel, and left
him in silence. There was an up train at two o'clock in the
afternoon, and by that train I returned to London.
On the Tuesday I sent in the altered settlement, which practically
disinherited the very persons whom Miss Fairlie's own lips had
informed me she was most anxious to benefit. I had no choice.
Another lawyer would have drawn up the deed if I had refused to
undertake it.
My task is done. My personal share in the events of the family
story extends no farther than the point which I have just reached.
Other pens than mine will describe the strange circumstances which
are now shortly to follow. Seriously and sorrowfully I close this
brief record. Seriously and sorrowfully I repeat here the parting
words that I spoke at Limmeridge House:--No daughter of mine
should have been married to any man alive under such a settlement
as I was compelled to make for Laura Fairlie.
The End of Mr. Gilmore's Narrative.
THE STORY CONTINUED BY MARIAN HALCOMBE
(in Extracts from her Diary)
LIMMERIDGE HOUSE, Nov.
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