But--but, I am not so young as I was; and I have to develop my property." "Of which she no longer forms a part," Mr.Shovelin answered, with a smile at me, which turned into pleasure my momentary pain at the other's calm abandonment.

"You will find me prompt and proud to claim her, as soon as I am advised that this will is valid; and that I shall learn to-morrow." In spite of pride, or by its aid, my foolish eyes were full of tears, and I gave him a look of gratitude which reminded him of my father, as he said in so many words.
"Oh, I hope it is valid! How I hope it is!" I exclaimed, turning round to the Major, who smiled rather grimly, and said he hoped so too.
"But surely," he continued, "as we are all here, we should not neglect the opportunity of inspecting the other contents of this box.

To me it appears that we are bound to do so; that it is our plain duty to ascertain--Why, there might even be a later will.

Erema, my dear, you must be most anxious to get to the bottom of it." So I was, but desired even more that his curiosity should be foiled.

"We must leave that to Mr.Shovelin," I said.
"Then for the present we will seal it down again," the banker answered, quietly; "we can see that there is no other will, and a later one would scarcely be put under this.