M.de Cintre was sixty years old, and an odious old gentleman.

He lived, however, but a short time, and after his death his family pounced upon his money, brought a lawsuit against his widow, and pushed things very hard.

Their case was a good one, for M.de Cintre, who had been trustee for some of his relatives, appeared to have been guilty of some very irregular practices.

In the course of the suit some revelations were made as to his private history which my sister found so displeasing that she ceased to defend herself and washed her hands of the property.

This required some pluck, for she was between two fires, her husband's family opposing her and her own family forcing her.