or. A gold chain was connected with it, upon which was
fastened a seal. On this was engraved a griffin rampant, with the
motto, _Noblesse oblige_.

"Well, after this I found another drawer, in which were several
lady's ornaments, and among them was a package carefully wrapped up.
On opening it I found the miniature portrait of a lady, and this lady
was the same Louise de Montresor, for her name was written on the
back."

"Have you it now?" asked Mimi, with intense interest.

"Yes," said Claude; "and I'll show it to you some time. But I have
something else to show you just now. Wait a minute, and I'll explain.
After I found the portrait, I went on searching, and came to another
package. On opening this I found some papers which seemed totally
different from anything I had seen as yet. The ink was faded; the
writing was a plain, bold hand; and now I'll let you read this for
yourself; and you'll know as much as I do."

Saying this, Claude produced from his pocket a paper, which he opened
and handed to Mimi. It was a sheet of foolscap, written on three
sides, in a plain, bold hand. The ink was quite faded. As Mimi took
the paper, her hand trembled with excitement, and over her face there
came a sudden anxious, half-frightened look, as though she dreaded to
make herself acquainted with the contents of this old document.

After a moment's hesitation she mustered up her resolution, and began
to read. It was as follows:--

"QUEBEC, June 10, 1725.

"Instructions to Jean Motier with reference to my son, Claude de
Montresor, and my property.

"As I do not know how long I shall be absent, I think it better to
leave directions about my son, which may be your guide in the event
of my death. I must stay away long enough to enable me to overcome
the grief that I feel. Long, long indeed, must it be before I shall
feel able to settle in any one place. The death of my dearest wife,
Louise, has left me desolate beyond expression, and there is no home
for me any more on earth, since she has gone.

"I have property enough for you to bring up Claude as a gentleman. I
wish him to have the best education which he can get in the colonies.
I do not wish him to know about his family and the past history of
his unhappy parents until he shall be old enough to judge for
himself. In any case, I should wish him not to think of France. Let
him content himself in America. It is done. In France there is no
redress. The government is hopeless