that her friend could not
see her face while she read it, but only her white hands, in which the
document rustled a little.

It ran thus:--

"I, Griffith Gaunt, late of the Eyrie, and now residing at
Bolton Hall, in the County of Cumberland, being sound in
body and mind, do deliver this as my last will and
testament. I give and bequeath all the property, real or
personal, which I now possess or may hereafter become
entitled to, to my dear friend and mistress, Catharine
Peyton, daughter of Henry Peyton, Esquire, of Peyton Hall:
provided always that the said Catharine Peyton shall at no
time within the next ten years marry George Neville of
Neville's Court in this county. But should the said
Catharine marry the said George within ten years of this
day, then I leave all my said property, in possession,
remainder, or reversion, to my heir-at-law."

The fair legatee read this extraordinary testament more than once. At
last she handed it back to Mr. Houseman without a word. But her cheek
was red, and her eyes glistening.

Mr. Houseman was surprised at her silence; and as he was curious to know
her heart, he sounded her, asked her what she thought of that part of
his story. But she evaded him with all the tact of her sex.

"What! that is not all, then?" said she, quickly.

Houseman replied, that it was barely half.

"Then tell me all, pray tell me all," said Kate, earnestly.

"I am here to that end," said Houseman, and recommenced his narrative.

* * * * *

"The business being done to Mr. Gaunt's satisfaction, though not to
mine, we fell into some friendly talk; but in the midst of it my clerk
Thomas brought me in the card of a gentleman whom I was very desirous to
secure as a client.

* * * * *

"Mr. Gaunt, I think, read my mind; for he took leave of me forthwith. I
attended him to the door, and then welcomed the gentleman aforesaid. It
was no other than Mr. George Neville.

* * * * *

"Mr. Neville, after such gracious civilities as his native breeding and
foreign travel have taught him, came to business, and requested me--to
draw his will."

("La!" said Kate,)

* * * * *

"I was a little startled, but hid it and took his instructions. This
done, I requested to see the title-deeds of his estates, with a view to
descr