Agnes, pleased to see her sister-in-law enjoying life, gave her attention to Garvington’s affairs, and found them in a woeful mess.  It really did appear as if she would have to save the Lambert family from ever-lasting disgrace, and from being entirely submerged, by keeping hold of her millions.  But she did not lose heart, and worked on bravely in the hope that an adjustment would save a few thousand a year for Freddy, without touching any of Pine’s money.  If she could manage to secure him a sufficient income to keep up the title, and to prevent the sale of The Manor in Hengishire, she then intended to surrender her husband’s wealth and retire to a country life with Noel as her husband.

“He can paint and I can look after the cottage along with Mrs. Tribb,” she told Mrs. Belgrove, who called to see her one day, more painted and dyed and padded and tastefully dressed than ever.  “We can keep fowls and things, you know,” she added vaguely.

“Quite an idyl,” tittered the visitor, and then went away to tell her friends that Lady Agnes must have been in love with her cousin all the time.  And as the contents of the will were now generally known, every one agreed that the woman was a fool to give up wealth for a dull existence in the woods.  “All the same it’s very sweet,” sighed Mrs. Belgrove, having made as much mischief as she possibly could.  “I should like it myself if I could only dress as a Watteau shepherdess, you know, and carry a lamb with a blue ribbon round its dear neck.”

Of course, Lady Agnes heard nothing of this ill-natured chatter, since she did not go into society during her period of mourning, and received only a few of her most intimate friends.  Moreover, besides attending to Garvington’s affairs, it was necessary that she should have frequent consultations with Mr. Jarwin in his stuffy Chancery Lane office, relative to the large fortune left by her late husband.  There, on three occasions she met Silver, the ex-secretary, when he came to explain various matters to the solicitor.  With the consent of Lady Agnes, the man had been discharged, when Jarvin took over the management of the millions, but having a thorough knowledge of Pine’s financial dealings, it was necessary that he should be questioned every now and then.

Silver was rather sulky over his abrupt dismissal, but cunningly concealed his real feelings when in the presence of the widow, since she was too opulent a person to offend.  It was Silver who suggested that a reward should be offered for the detection of Pine’s assassin.  Lady Agnes approved of the idea, and indeed was somewhat shocked that she had not thought of taking this course herself.  Therefore, within seven days every police office in the United Kingdom was placarded with bills, stating that the sum of one thousand pounds would be given to the person or persons who should denounce the culprit.  The amount offered caused quite a flutter of excitement, and public interest in the case was revived for nearly a fortnight.  At the conclusion of that period, as nothing fresh was discovered, people ceased to discuss the matter.  It seemed as though the reward, large as it was, would never be claimed.