My
husband and myself have long been aware that our dear friend
suffered from disease of the heart, and that the doctor he
consulted in London had told him that his death might take place
at any moment. At the same time, he had been so bright and
cheerful in London, as indeed with us he was at all times, that
his death comes almost with as great a surprise to us as if we had
not known that he was in danger. Mr. Tallboys, the solicitor of
Weymouth who managed Mr. Penfold's affairs, called here last
night. The funeral is to take place on Thursday, and had Ralph
been in England he said that he should have written to him to come
down to it, which he could have done in time had he started
immediately he received the letter announcing the event; but as he
is over in Ireland, of course nothing can be done.
"He said that had Ralph come he should have suggested that you
also should be present at the reading of the will, but that as
matters stand he did not think there was any occasion to trouble
you. I should tell you that Mr. Tallboys appeared a good deal
worried, and one of his reasons for calling was to ask my husband
whether he knew where Mr. Penfold was in the habit of keeping his
papers. It seems that upon the day after his return from London
Mr.
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