You should not jump to unjust conclusions.

Not one of them has ever asked me how my property was left; or has attempted, by the smallest word, to influence me in its disposal." "Then, what has influenced you?
Why have you done it ?" demanded Mr.
Bitterworth, his voice becoming more subdued.
To this question Mr.Verner did not immediately reply.

He appeared not to have done with the defence of his wife and her sons.
"Mrs.Verner is not of a covetous nature; she is not unjust, and I believe that she would wish the estate willed to Lionel, rather than to her sons.

She knows no good reason why it should not be willed to him.
And for those sons--do you suppose either of them would have gone out to Australia, had he been cognisant that he was heir to Verner's Pride ?" "Why have you willed it away from Lionel ?" "I cannot tell you," replied Mr.Verner, in a tone of sharp pain.

It betrayed to Mr.Bitterworth what sharper pain the step itself must have cost.
"It is _this_ which has been on your mind, Verner--disturbing your closing years ?" "Ay, it is that; nothing else!" wailed Mr.Verner, "nothing else, nothing else! Has it not been enough to disturb me ?" he added, putting the question in a loud, quick accent.