ure, and satisfy himself as to its importance and authenticity.

Drawing close the curtains of his windows, and locking the door of his
room, like one who would be alone, he again opened the casket, and took
out the scroll. With bent-down head and steady gaze, he perused it from
end to end, and then sat with riveted eyes fixed upon the signature and
massive seal which were appended to the foot of the document. "That this
should have been revealed in a dream," said he, at length, "is almost
enough to shake one's faith in the whole! Am I myself awake, and is it
real what I see before me?" He walked the room with uncertain steps,
then opened wide the window, then closed it again, once more took up
the paper and studied it. In fact, it was clear to see that a sceptical
nature, the very habit of doubt, had indisposed him to believe in even
that which his very senses corroborated.

"What would I give for some lawyer's craft at this moment!" said he,
as the drops of perspiration stood upon his forehead, and his clenched
hands were clasped together in strong emotion; "what would I give for
the keenness that could pierce through every line of this, and see it
free of flaw--ay, that is the point! And then, Master Roland,"--here his
voice grew full and round,--"and then we should see who is the master
and who the dependent, if with a word--with one word--I could unmake
you, and from the insolence of your sudden wealth bring you down once
more to your fitting station! Never did Fortune stand by me like this!
Let me, however, not lose the game from over-strength; caution is
needed here. Before Corri-gan shall know himself the rightful owner of
Tubbermore, he must be satisfied to see Tom Linton his son-in-law. A
glorious hit that deals vengeance on every hand. Ay, my lady, we shall
acquit our debt to _you_ also!" From the heat of overwhelming passion
he again turned to the document which lay open on the table. "What if it
were only a copy? But this is scarce possible; the signatures look real,
and the seal cannot be counterfeit. Whom could I trust to inspect it?
With whom dare I place it for a day, or even an hour? No! I 'll never
suffer it out of my own keeping! I know not if the power to strike is
not the very acme of revenge!"

As he walked the room in deepest agitation he chanced for an instant
to catch a glimpse of Tubbermore, which, in the bright light of a
newly-risen moon, could be seen above the trees.

"So then it may ch