so have I--the very
greatest, the strongest regard, and warm parental feelings; as you know,
Erema. But--but, I am not so young as I was; and I have to develop my
property."

"Of which she no longer forms a part," Mr. Shovelin answered, with a
smile at me, which turned into pleasure my momentary pain at the other's
calm abandonment. "You will find me prompt and proud to claim her, as
soon as I am advised that this will is valid; and that I shall learn
to-morrow."

In spite of pride, or by its aid, my foolish eyes were full of tears,
and I gave him a look of gratitude which reminded him of my father, as
he said in so many words.

"Oh, I hope it is valid! How I hope it is!" I exclaimed, turning round
to the Major, who smiled rather grimly, and said he hoped so too.

"But surely," he continued, "as we are all here, we should not neglect
the opportunity of inspecting the other contents of this box. To me
it appears that we are bound to do so; that it is our plain duty to
ascertain--Why, there might even be a later will. Erema, my dear, you
must be most anxious to get to the bottom of it."

So I was, but desired even more that his curiosity should be foiled. "We
must leave that to Mr. Shovelin," I said.

"Then for the present we will seal it down again," the banker answered,
quietly; "we can see that there is no other will, and a later one would
scarcely be put under this. The other little packets, whatever they may
be, are objects of curiosity, perhaps, rather than of importance. They
will keep till we have more leisure."

"We have taken up a great deal of your time, Sir, I am sure," said the
Major, finding that he could take no more. "We ought to be, and we are,
most grateful."

"Well," the banker answered, as we began to move, "such things do not
happen every day. But there is no friend like an old friend, Erema, as I
mean to call you now. I was to have been your godfather; but I fear that
you never have been baptized."

"What!" cried the Major, staring at us both. "Is such a thing possible
in a Christian land? Oh, how I have neglected my duty to the Church!
Come back with me to Bruntsea, and my son shall do it. The church there
is under my orders, I should hope; and we will have a dinner party
afterward. What a horrible neglect of duty!"

"But how could I help it?" I exclaimed, with some terror at Major
Hockin's bristling hair. "I can not remember--I am sure I can not say.
It may have been done in France, or