At all events, my relatives will find themselves in exactly the same position as if our beloved Agnes had lived." Mr.Hamilton, then advanced in years--for Agnes might be termed the child of his old age--did not survive her death twelve months.

That afflicting event fairly broke him down.

Death, however, to him had no terrors, because he had nothing to detain him here.

On the contrary, he looked to it only as a release from sorrow; an event that would soon wipe away all tears from his eyes, draw the sting of affliction from his heart, and restore him once more to his beloved Agnes and her dear mother.

He looked forward only to close his eyes against the world and sleep with them--and so he did.
When his will was opened, the astonishment and dismay of his relations may be! easily imagined, as well as the bitterness of their disappointment.