el Delmar, and were shown into a
sitting-room, until he came out of Mrs Delmar's apartment. I saw him
come out; and there was so much satisfaction in his countenance, that
I felt sure that he had gained over the old lady. And I went home,
resolving that I would burn the new will, which had not been signed,
if it were only to gain the delay of having to make it over again.
But the next morning an express arrived for me to go immediately to
the Hall. I did so, but I did not take the new will with me, as I
felt certain that if I had so done, it would have been signed that
day. But I was mistaken: I had been sent for on account of the death
of Colonel Delmar, who had that morning fallen in a duel with Major
Stapleton, the officer who fought with you. It appears that Captain
Green had informed the major of the language used by the colonel when
Major S was supposed to be dead; and that the major, who has been very
ill ever since, only waited till he was able to stand to demand
satisfaction of the colonel. It was the major with his friend whom I
met as I left the Hall the day before. They fought at daylight, and
both fell. The major, however, lived long enough to acknowledge that
the duel with you had been an arranged thing between him and the
colonel, that you might be put out of the way, after the information
the colonel had received from my clerk, and that the colonel was to
have rewarded him handsomely if he had sent you into the other world.
I suspect, after this, that the fowling-piece going off in the cover
was not quite so accidental as was supposed. However, the colonel is
out of your way now, and the old lady has received such a shock, that
there is no fear of her altering the will; indeed, if she attempted
it, I doubt if it would be valid, as she is now quite gone in her
intellect. I have, therefore, destroyed the one not signed; and have
no doubt, but that in a very few weeks I may have to congratulate you
upon your succession to this property. I think that the sooner you
can come home the better, and I advise you to take up your quarters at
Madeline Hall, for possession is nine points of the law, and you can
keep off all trespassers.--Yours most truly,

"F. WARDEN."

"Well, Minnie dearest, I may congratulate you, I believe, as the lady of
Madeline Hall," said I, folding up the letter.

"Yes, Percival, but there is a postscript overleaf,