t I can point him out, sir," replied I; "but the most
important proofs, I suspect, are to be found in the paper which I have
not yet read."

"I will then, if you please, no longer trespass on you," said Mr
Selwyn, "when you wish me to call again, you will oblige me by sending
word, or writing by post."

The departure of Mr Selwyn was quite a relief to me. I longed to be
alone, that I might be left to my own reflections, and also that I might
peruse the document which had been confided to me by poor Lady R--. I
could not help feeling much shocked at her death--more so, when I
considered her liberality towards me, and the confidence she reposed in
one with whom she had but a short acquaintance. It was like her,
nevertheless; who but Lady R--would ever have thought of making a young
person so unprotected and so unacquainted as I was with business--a
foreigner to boot--the executrix of her will; and her death occasioned
by such a mad freak--and Lionel now restored to his position and his
fortune--altogether it was overwhelming, and after a time I relieved
myself with tears. I was still with my handkerchief to my eyes when
Lady M--came into the room.

"Crying, Miss Chatenoeuf," said her ladyship, "it is at the departure of
a very dear friend."

There was a sort of sneer on her face as she said this; and I replied--

"Yes, my lady, it is for the departure of a dear friend, for Lady R--is
dead."

"Mercy, you don't say so; and what are these gentlemen who have been
calling upon you?"

"One is her solicitor, madam," replied I, "and the other is a relative
of hers."

"A relation; but what has the solicitor called upon you for? if it is
not an intrusive question."

"No, my lady; Lady R--has appointed me her executrix."

"Executrix! well, I now do believe that Lady R--was mad!" exclaimed Lady
M--. "I wanted you to come up to my boudoir to consult you about the
pink satin dress, but I fear your important avocation will not allow you
at present, so I will leave you till you are a little recovered."

"I thank you, my lady," said I, "I will be more myself to-morrow, and
will then be at your disposal."

Her ladyship then left the room. I was not pleased at her manner, which
was very different from her usual courtesy towards me, but I was not in
a state of mind to weigh well all that she said, or how she said it. I
hastened to my room to look for the paper which Lady R--had enclosed to
me previous to her departure.