erfection and
flaw, and proved a satisfactory direction for the disposal of the
inheritance.

It may be as well to state here, however, that he who was pronounced
sole heir to the valuable property never availed himself of the
bequest, otherwise than to make a careful bestowal of it among her
relatives. The solo inheritor of her estate was William Sullivan, the
knight of the rosy countenance, who with chivalrous spirit captivated
Miss Patty's virgin heart, and gained her lasting favour. But that
chivalrous spirit accepted not a reward so disproportioned to the slight
service he had rendered the old lady.

Gertrude found it no easy task to gather and transfix in writing the
exact idea which the old woman's rambling dictation was intended to
convey; and it was two or three hours before the manuscript was
completed.

The sky was overcast, and a drizzling rain began to fall, as she walked
home; but the distance was not great, and the only damage she sustained
was a slight dampness to her garments. Emily perceived it, and said,
"Your dress is quite wet, you must sit by the parlour fire. I shall not
go down until tea-time, but father is there, and will be glad of your
company; he has been alone all the afternoon."

Gertrude found Mr. Graham sitting in front of a pleasant wood fire,
half-dozing, half-reading. She took a book and a low chair and joined
him. But to avoid the heat she went to the sofa. Soon there was a ring
at the front door bell. The housemaid, who was passing by the door,
opened it, and immediately ushered in a visitor. It was Willie!

Gertrude rose, but trembling from head to foot, so that she dared not
trust herself to take a step forward. Willie advanced to the centre of
the room, looked at Gertrude, bowed, hesitated, and said, "Miss
Flint!--is she here?" The colour rushed into Gertrude's face. She
attempted to speak, but failed. It was not necessary. The blush was
enough. Willie recognised her, and starting forward, eagerly seized her
hand.

"Gerty! is it possible?"

The perfect naturalness and ease of his manner, the warmth with which he
took and retained her hand, reassured the agitated girl. The spell
seemed partially removed. For a moment he became in her eyes the Willie
of old, her dear friend and playmate, and she found voice to exclaim,
"Oh, Willie, you have come at last! I am so glad to see you!" The sound
of their voices disturbed Mr. Graham, who had fallen into a nap. He
turned round in