I thought I had through a careless, or heedless act, injured the
interests of any living being, I should be truly miserable. I cannot
comprehend the charges, or the cause of your unusual and ungentle
excitement."

"You miserably innocent child! You poor, unworldly infant! I will
endeavor to beat it into your comprehension, if you will listen. Your
deceased uncle made _two wills_; one a few months ago, leaving the bulk
of his fortune to his niece, Miss Helen Stillinghast, and to his other
niece, May Brooke, the splendid life annuity of one hundred and fifty
dollars. But on Thursday last having felt, by the judgment and grace
of God, that so unequal a division was unjust, and being convinced that
the said May Brooke would squander his gains precisely as he wished at
that moment he had been doing all his life, viz., amongst the poor,
destitute, and afflicted, he made _another will_, in which he devised
the handsome sum of fifty thousand dollars, and some real estate, to
Helen Stillinghast; and to May Brooke, his well-beloved niece and
heiress, two hundred thousand dollars, this house, lot, and furniture,
and other properties. But this will is missing--burnt up, it is
supposed; and the first one is good in law, and I will read it,
although I protest against its being executed until a thorough
investigation is made, and I am well assured that there has been no
foul play in the case," said the lawyer, impressively.

"Mr. Fielding," said Walter Jerrold, speaking out from the most
honorable motives, "I feel as you do; and before reading the will, let
us make a more patient and thorough search. We may have over-looked
it. Neither Helen, nor myself, could ever feel satisfied, or happy, in
the possession of property which, in the sight of Heaven, belongs to
another."

"Sir, your sentiments do you honor. I accept of your suggestions,"
said Mr. Fielding, fixing a penetrating gaze on Walter Jerrold's
countenance. "Come, May, you go with us, and help us to search high
and low through the closet and bureau."

Father Fabian, who had come at the request of Mr. Fielding, had been a
silent, but not unconcerned witness of this strange and unexpected
scene, and looked for its issue with the deepest interest. Dr. Burrell
exploded every now and then in opinions, which contained more feeling
than legal reasoning, and consequently were of no importance. Helen's
presence restrained all conversation on the subject while the others