I am not ashamed to say that tears came into my eyes--flowers and sunshine and all things sweet seemed so far from me now.
I reached the office, and there, to my intense surprise, found a letter waiting for me.
"Here is a letter for you, Mr.Trevelyan," said the head clerk, carelessly.
He gave me a large blue official envelope.

If he had but known what it contained! Some minutes passed before I had time to open it; then I read as follows: "To Sir Edgar Trevelyan: "Sir: We beg to inform you that by the death of Sir Barnard Trevelyan, and his son, Mr.Miles Trevelyan, who both died of the epidemic in Florence, you, as next of kin, will succeed.

We are not aware that the late Sir Barnard had any other relatives.

Crown Anstey, the residence of the late baronet, is ready at any time for your reception.

If you can favor us with a call today, we will explain to you the different ways in which the late baronet's large fortune is invested.