"Yet you may be mistaken.

A woman's love is such a capricious thing, and so often bestowed upon the least deserving amongst those who seek it." After this they were silent for some time, and then Gilbert told his friend about his acquaintance with Jacob Nowell, and the old man's futile endeavours to find his grandchild; to all of which Mr.Saltram listened attentively.
"Then you fancy there is a good bit of money in question ?" he said, when Gilbert told him everything.
"I fancy so.

But I have no actual ground for the belief.

The place in which the old man lives is poor enough, and he has carefully abstained from any hint as to what he might leave his granddaughter.

Whatever it is, Marian ought to have it; and there is very little chance of that, unless she comes forward in response to Mr.Nowell's advertisements." "It is a pity she should lose the chance of this inheritance, certainly," said Mr.Saltram.
And then the conversation changed, and they talked of other subjects until it was time for them to part.
John Saltram walked back to the Temple in a very sombre mood, meditating upon his friend's trouble.
"Poor old Gilbert," he said to himself, "this business has touched him more deeply than I could have thought possible.