aying, "Heavy silks,--best goods, if you
please,")--with delectable thumping down of flat-sided pieces of calico,
cambric, "rep," and other stiffs, and rhythmic evolution of measured
yards, followed by sharp snip of scissors, and that cry of rending
tissues dearer to woman's ear than any earthly sound until she hears
the voice of her own first-born,(much of this potentially,
remember,)--thoughts of a comfortable settlement, an imposing social
condition, a cheerful household, and by and by an Indian summer of serene
widowhood,--all these, and infinite other involved possibilities had
mapped themselves in one long swift flash before Cynthia's inward eye,
and all vanished as the old man spoke those few words. The look on his
face, and the tone of his cold speech, had instantly swept them all away,
like a tea-set sliding in a single crash from a slippery tray.

What could be the "business" on which he had come to her with that solemn
face?--she asked herself, as she returned his greeting and offered him a
chair. She was conscious of a slight tremor as she put this question to
her own intelligence.

"Are we like to be alone and undisturbed?" Mr. Gridley asked. It was a
strange question,--men do act strangely sometimes. She hardly knew.
whether to turn red or white.

"Yes, there is nobody like to come in at present," she answered. She did
not know what to make of it. What was coming next,--a declaration, or an
accusation of murder?

"My business," Mr. Gridley said, very gravely, "relates to this. I wish
to inspect papers which I have reason to believe exist, and which have
reference to the affairs of the late Malachi Withers. Can you help me to
get sight of any of these papers not to be found at the Registry of Deeds
or the Probate Office?"

"Excuse me, Mr. Gridley, but may I ask you what particular concern you
have with the affairs of my relative, Cousin Malachi Withers, that's been
dead and buried these half-dozen years?"

"Perhaps it would take some time to answer that question fully, Miss
Badlam. Some of these affairs do concern those I am interested in, if
not myself directly."

"May I ask who the person or persons may be on whose account you wish to
look at papers belonging to my late relative, Malachi Withers?"

"You can ask me almost anything, Miss Badlam, but I should really be very
much obliged if you would answer my question first. Can you help me to
get a sight of any papers relating to the esta