nants would like to stay on, if it be agreeable to you. They
are very respectable people. How am I to act in the matter?"

I stared at him in surprise and perplexity. Such a strange feeling
came over me. I who have never possessed a stick or a stone in my life
(in fact, I always felt it a relief when the quarter's lodging bill was
paid), now I had to decide about a house in town and a country seat.

"I think, Mr. Van Beek, everything had better remain as it is until
the question of my marriage with Miss Mordaunt is settled."

"The Jonker forgets that that condition is not binding."

"I look upon it as binding, though such may not be the legal
interpretation of the will."

"Would you not like to see the house whilst you are in Utrecht? It
is beautifully situated, and well worth a visit, I can assure you."

"No, thank you, sir; but I should like to see the house in which my
aunt lived: from its surroundings I may be able to obtain a better
idea of her character."

"Oh, with pleasure, Jonker! I thought I had already told you," began
Van Beek, somewhat embarrassed, "that the old lady had bequeathed
it to me, on condition her maid should occupy it as long as she
lives. It is a splendid legacy; that I do not deny. But consider,
I have served her thirty years in all kinds of business, some of
which cost me much trouble and loss of time. And I may remind you
that there is no extra money set aside for my expenses as executor,
whilst I am recommended to assist the heir in every way, and to serve
him to the best of my ability by my counsel."

"My dear sir," I rejoined, "it was to be expected that aunt would
treat you generously. It is not my intention to dispute any of her
bequests. It will be a sort of pilgrimage for me."

"We will drive there at once after luncheon. It is only half an hour's
distance from the town."

I must confess the interior of my aunt's dwelling did not enable me to
gather any new ideas of the strange personage who once occupied it. The
old waiting-woman received us with coolness, and chanted the praises
of her late mistress in pious terms. The young cook shed a torrent
of tears, and was evidently astonished not to see me do the same;
whilst the man-servant eyed me askance, as if he feared I had come
there to cut off his legacy. The house was furnished in a moderately
comfortable style, most of the furniture being of the good solid
sort common in the reign of King William I., though there had been