Part 7 (1/2)
”You will soon learn, Herbert,” said Frank. ”Make a pretext to join him, and let the news come from him.”
Herbert looked puzzled.
”Do you wish me to do this?” he asked.
”Yes, I have a reason for it.”
”Very well. I am always ready to oblige you, Frank, but I hope Mark won't think I have suddenly formed a liking for his society.”
”If he does, you can soon undeceive him.”
”That is true.”
Herbert left the side of his friend, and sauntered toward Mark.
As Herbert was known as Frank's especial friend, Mark was at first surprised, but quickly decided that his improved position had been communicated by Frank, and that Herbert was influenced by it. That is to say, he judged Herbert to be as mean and mercenary as himself.
Herbert's position was too humble to ent.i.tle him to much notice from Mark, but the latter was pleased with the prospect of detaching from Frank his favorite friend.
”You came back rather late, Mark,” said Herbert.
”Yes,” answered Mark, with an air of importance. ”I remained at home a short time, to help my father in his accounts. You know the property is large, and there is a good deal to do.”
”I should think that was Frank's place, to help about the accounts.”
”Why?”
”The property is his, of course!”
”Did he tell you that?” asked Mark, sharply.
”He has not said a word about the property.”
”No, I suppose not,” said Mark, with a sneering laugh.
”Has anything happened? Didn't his mother leave as much as was expected?” went on Herbert, quite in the dark.
”Yes, she left a large estate, but she didn't leave it to him.”
”To whom, then?”
”To my father!” replied Mark, with conscious pride. ”Frank has nothing.
He is entirely dependent upon father.”
”Did his mother leave him nothing, then?” asked Herbert, in pained surprise.
”Nothing at all,” a.s.sured Mark, complacently.
”That is very strange and unjust.”