CHAPTER IX.
The news of the assignment of Dr.West's property to Mrs.Saltonstall was followed by the still more astonishing discovery that the Doctor's will further bequeathed to her his entire property, after payment of his debts and liabilities.

It was given in recognition of her talents and business integrity during their late association, and as an evidence of the confidence and "undying affection" of the testator.
Nevertheless, after the first surprise, the fact was accepted by the community as both natural and proper under that singular instinct of humanity which acquiesces without scruple in the union of two large fortunes, but sharply questions the conjunction of poverty and affluence, and looks only for interested motives where there is disparity of wealth.

Had Mrs.Saltonstall been a poor widow instead of a rich one; had she been the Doctor's housekeeper instead of his business friend, the bequest would have been strongly criticised--if not legally tested.

But this combination, which placed the entire valley of San Antonio in the control of a single individual, appeared to be perfectly legitimate.

More than that, some vague rumor of the Doctor's past and his early entanglements only seemed to make this eminently practical disposition of his property the more respectable, and condoned for any moral irregularities of his youth.
The effect upon the collateral branches of the Guitierrez family and the servants and retainers was even more impressive.