He kissed it respectfully, and as he was in the act,
one of the maids opened the door, and told me that Lady M--had been some
time waiting to see me. I believe I coloured up, although I had no
cause for blushing; and wishing Lionel good-bye, I desired him to call
on Sunday afternoon, and I would remain at home to see him.

It was on Thursday that this interview took place with Lionel, and on
the Saturday I received a letter from Lady R--'s solicitor, by which I
was shocked by the information of her ladyship having died at Caudebec,
a small town on the river Seine; and begging to know whether I could
receive him that afternoon, as he was anxious to communicate with me. I
answered by the person who brought the letter, that I would receive him
at three o'clock; and he made his appearance at the hour appointed.

He informed me that Lady R--had left Havre in a fishing boat, with the
resolution of going up to Paris by that strange conveyance; and having
no protection from the weather, she had been wet for a whole day,
without changing her clothes; and, on her arrival at Caudebec, had been
taken with a fever, which, from the ignorance of the faculty in that
sequestered place, had proved fatal. Her maid had just written the
intelligence, enclosing the documents from the authorities
substantiating the fact.

"You are not, perhaps, aware, miss, that you are left her executrix."

"I her executrix!" exclaimed I, with astonishment.

"Yes," replied Mr Selwyn. "Before she left town, she made an
alteration in her will; and stated to me that you would be able to find
the party most interested in it, and that you had a document in your
hands which would explain everything."

"I have a sealed paper which she enclosed to me, desiring I would not
open it, unless I heard of her death, or had her permission."

"It must be that to which she refers, I presume," replied he. "I have
the will in my pocket: it will be as well to read it to you, as you are
her executrix."

Mr Selwyn then produced the will, by which Lionel Dempster, her nephew,
was left her sole heir; and by a codicil, she had, for the love she bore
me, as she stated in her own handwriting, left me 500 pounds as her
executrix, and all her jewels and wearing apparel.

"I congratulate you on your legacy, Miss de Chatenoeuf," said he; "and
now, perhaps, you can tell me where I can find this nephew; for I must
say it is the first that I ever heard of him."

"I believe tha