xpressing his delight by the manner in which
he swung about his cap.

Francis was seated on the sofa which I remembered so well, her head
cast down, paler than on the preceding day; but charmingly beautiful
in her mourning-dress. She rose hastily, and advanced to greet me.

"Thank you, Leopold, for coming so soon. I knew you would come;
I had confidence in your generosity."

"And--am I then no longer contemptible in your eyes, Francis? You
have received my packet, and read Aunt Sophia's letter?"

"I have received all the documents, read all--more than was necessary
to convince me I had done you an injustice, and ought to apologize
to you. Now I am ready to confess it before all the world that I did
you wrong; will you pardon me without reserve?"

"Need you ask me that, Francis? But you must never doubt me more,
never more, Francis."

After a moment's silence she answered in a low voice--"Never more,
Leopold!"

So saying, she pressed my hand with ardour, as a sign of
reconciliation. Still, there was a constraint about her manner which
prevented my pressing her to my heart as I desired to do.

"Sit down, Leopold," she said; "now we are reconciled I have to ask
your advice as my nearest relation and my most trusted friend."

At the same time she unfolded the packet which she had received
from England.

"Lord William is dead," she went on; "will you read this letter
addressed to me, together with a copy of his will?"

I could scarcely control myself sufficiently to read the letter; but
I obeyed mechanically. This letter contained a few words of serious
advice, breathing nothing but words of paternal love; though I read
between the lines that it had cost him a struggle after her confession
to regain this kind of calm affection for her. He had left with Cupid's
arrow in his heart. The letter concluded with the most ardent wishes
for her happiness; and he expressed a hope she would one day find a
husband worthy of her, begging her to accept as a marriage portion
the legacy he had left her by his will. Finally, he said, she must
allow no considerations whatever, especially money considerations,
to induce her to marry a man whom she did not love with all her heart.

The family name with which this letter was signed is one of the most
illustrious in the scientific as well as in the political world.

There was also a second letter from the nephew and heir to
Lord William's title and immense fortune. He assured Fran