Mr. Withers and ourselves of our knowledge that,
the late Mr. Penfold was accustomed to keep documents in some
secret receptacle. In the second place, we are glad to inform you
that the annual sum paid by us into the Kentish bank to your
credit will not be affected by the loss of the will; for at the
time when that payment first commenced, Mr. Penfold signed a deed
making this payment a first charge on the rents of two of his
farms during your lifetime. This assignment was of a binding
character, and of course continues to hold good. We shall consider
it our duty to acquaint you from time to time with the course of
proceedings in the matter of the late Mr. Penfold's will."
Little as Mrs. Conway had thought of herself from the time when she
first heard that the will was missing, the news that her income would
remain unchanged delighted her. She had formed no plans for herself,
but had vaguely contemplated the necessity of giving up her house as
soon as it was decided that the will could not be found, selling her
furniture, and for the present taking a small lodging. She was glad
that there would be no occasion for this; but very much more glad that
she should be able now to make Ralph an allowance of seventy or eighty
pounds a year, which would make all the difference between his living
comfortably and being obliged to pinch himself in every way to subsist
upon his pay.
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