who left the apartment in which we were sitting. She came back
in a few minutes, and handed me a paper, which, on examination, I found
to be written throughout, and evidently by the hand of Captain Allen. It
was dated San Juan de Porto Rico, January 10, 1820, and was witnessed by
two signatures--the names Spanish. The executors were Judge Bigelow and
Squire Floyd. There was an important sentence at the conclusion of the
will. It was in these words:--"In case my wife, in dying, should leave
no relatives, then every thing shall revert to my own right heirs,
should any be living."

All this gave the affair, in my mind, a more serious aspect. Before
mentioning the executors' names, I said--

"Do you know where Theresa Garcia resided, before her marriage with
Captain Allen?"

"In Porto Rico, as I have learned from old 'Aunty,' and also from
letters found in searching for the will."

"Which I find was executed at San Juan De Porto Rico, the principal town
on the island. Judge Bigelow and Squire Floyd are the executors."

I saw her start slightly, and grow a little pale as I said this.

"Judge Bigelow, and Squire Floyd! That is extraordinary!" She was more
disturbed than I had yet seen her in reference to this matter.

"It is remarkable, certainly, that Judge Bigelow, your legal adviser,
should be one of the executors of a will, which determines your
brother's estate out of the line of consanguinity."

"He must, of course, cease to represent my interest in the case,"
remarked the lady.

"He cannot represent two diverse interests," said I.

"No; that is clear." She said this in a troubled way; and was,
evidently, falling into a perplexed state of mind. "Well, Doctor, what
is to be done?" She spoke with recovered self-possession, after a short
period of silence, looking at me with her old calmness of expression.

I took some moments for reflection, and then said,

"My advice is, to keep your own counsel, and wait until Mr. Wallingford
returns from England. Whenever you place this document in the hands of
Judge Bigelow, he must go over to the adverse interest; when you will
be compelled to seek another legal adviser. You are not just ready for
this; nor will be until after your agent comes back with the result of
his investigations. No wrong to any one can possibly occur from letting
things remain just as they are for a few months."

"I think your view of the matter correct, Doctor," was her reply. "And
yet, to ke