ploy lawyers much, and this
was written on the night before going into action." And she read, "'I,
George Griffin,' &c. &c.--you know how these things begin--'being now of
sane mind'--um, um, um,--'leave to my friends, Thomas Abraham Hicks,
a colonel in the H. E. I. Company's Service, and to John Monro
Mackirkincroft (of the house of Huffle, Mackirkincroft, and Dobbs, at
Calcutta), the whole of my property, to be realized as speedily as they
may (consistently with the interests of the property), in trust for
my wife, Leonora Emilia Griffin (born L. E. Kicksey), and my only
legitimate child, Matilda Griffin. The interest resulting from such
property to be paid to them, share and share alike; the principal
to remain untouched, in the names of the said T. A. Hicks and J. M.
Mackirkincroft, until the death of my wife, Leonora Emilia Griffin, when
it shall be paid to my daughter, Matilda Griffin, her heirs, executors,
or assigns.'"

"There," said my lady, "we won't read any more; all the rest is stuff.
But now you know the whole business, tell us what is to be done with the
money?"

"Why, the money, unquestionably, should be divided between you."

"Tant mieux, say I; I really thought it had been all Matilda's."

. . . . . .

There was a paws for a minit or two after the will had been read. Master
left the desk at which he had been seated with her ladyship, paced up
and down the room for a while, and then came round to the place where
Miss Matilda was seated. At last he said, in a low, trembling voice,--

"I am almost sorry, my dear Lady Griffin, that you have read that will
to me; for an attachment such as mine must seem, I fear, mercenary,
when the object of it is so greatly favored by worldly fortune. Miss
Griffin--Matilda! I know I may say the word; your dear eyes grant me the
permission. I need not tell you, or you, dear mother-in-law, how long,
how fondly, I have adored you. My tender, my beautiful Matilda, I will
not affect to say I have not read your heart ere this, and that I have
not known the preference with which you have honored me. SPEAK IT,
dear girl! from your own sweet lips: in the presence of an affectionate
parent, utter the sentence which is to seal my happiness for life.
Matilda, dearest Matilda! say, oh say, that you love me!"

Miss M. shivered, turned pail, rowled her eyes about, and fell on
master's neck, whispering hodibly, "I DO!"

My lady looked at the pair for a mo