coming. Do you understand? Very well then; and when we
meet I forbid you absolutely to worry me with your advice, as
is your d----d custom. You are the only person in whom I have
confidence, but, after all, it is my right to command, and your
duty to obey. Therefore all advice is useless and will not be
tolerated. Good-bye.

"Your affectionate master,
"FRANCO MAIRONI.

"CRESSOGNO, _22 Sept., 1828_."

"Now here is the will," said Gilardoni dolefully, handing Franco another
yellow document, "but don't read that aloud."

The document read as follows:

"I, the undersigned, Nobile Franco Maironi, desire that my
estate be divided in accordance with this, my last will and
testament.

"Donna Orsola Maironi, born Marchesa Scremin, having deigned to
accept my homage as well as that of many others, I bequeath to
her, in proof of my gratitude, the sum of ten thousand Milanese
Lire, to be paid once and for all, and what, to her, is the
most precious jewel of my household, namely Don Alessandro
Maironi, duly inscribed in the parish-registers of the
Cathedral of Brescia as my son.

"I bequeath to my said son that part of my property which is
lawfully due to him, and three _parpagliole_[H] a day more, in
token of the special esteem in which I hold him.

"I leave to my agent in Brescia, Signor Grigi, should he be
still in my employ at the time of my death, all that he has
stolen from me.

"I leave to my agent in Valsolda, Carlino Gilardoni, upon the
same condition as above, four Milanese Lire a day, during his
natural life.

"I desire that, during the life of Donna Orsola Maironi
Scremin, a Mass be celebrated daily in the Cathedral of
Brescia, for the good of her soul.

"I name and appoint my grandson, Don Franco Maironi, son of Don
Alessandro, residuary legatee of all the rest of my property.

"As witness my hand, this fifteenth day of April, 1828.

"FRANCO MAIRONI."

Franco read--and, half dazed and without a word, passed the sheet of
paper back to the Professor. He was shaken, but felt vaguely that he
must control himself, that he must restrain his own agitation, collect
his thoughts, and strive to get a clear view of this matter and of