regarding him only as to his fitness
for the work in hand, you are favorably impressed?"

"Quite so. I find him quick of apprehension, intelligent, and of
sufficient gravity of deportment to ensure a respectful attention
wherever he may go. He made one suggestion that ought to have occurred
to me, and upon which I am acting. As no will has been found, it has
been assumed that Captain Allen died intestate. Mr. Wallingford suggests
that a will may have been executed; and that a thorough search be made
in order to discover if one exists. In consequence of this suggestion,
Blanche and I have been hard at work for two days, prying into drawers,
examining old papers, and looking into all conceivable, and I had almost
said inconceivable places."

"And if you were to find a will?" said I, looking into her earnest face.

"The question would be that much nearer to a solution."

"Is it at all probable that it would be in your favor?"

I saw her start at the query, while her brows closed slightly, as if
from a sudden pain. She looked at me steadily for a few moments, without
speaking; then, after a long inspiration, she said:

"Whether in my favor or not, any disposition that he has made of his
property, in law and right, must, of course, stand good."

"You might contest such a will, if not in your favor."

She shook her head, compressed her lips firmly, and said:

"No. I should not contest the will. My belief was, when I came here,
that he died without making a bequest of any kind, and that his property
would go, in consequence, to the heir-at-law. This was the information
that I received. If it should prove otherwise, I shall make no
opposition."

"Do you intend, under this view, continuing the search for a will?"

Something in the tone of voice touched her unpleasantly. I saw the light
in her eyes glow intenser, and her lips arch.

"Why not?" she asked, looking at me steadily. I could have given another
meaning to my question from the one I intended to convey, had it so
pleased me, and thus avoided a probable offence. But I wished to see a
little deeper into the quality of her mind, and so used the probe that
was in my hand.

"If you find a will, devising the property out of your line, all your
present prospects are at an end," said I.

"I know it."

Her voice was firm as well as emphatic.

"Then why not take the other horn of this dilemma? Give up searching for
a will that can hardly be in your favor, and go