mains. The lawyer, Mr.
Clyne, Mrs. Vrain herself, and several people brought up from Bath by
the assurance company, swore that the corpse--buried under the false
name of Berwin--was that of Mark Vrain, for decomposition had not
proceeded so far but what the features could be recognised. There was
even no need to unwrap the body from its cerements, as the face itself,
and the scar thereon, were quite sufficient for the friends of the
deceased to swear to the corpse. Thereupon the assurance company, on the
fullest of evidence, was compelled to admit that their client was dead,
and expressed themselves ready to pay over the money to Mrs. Vrain as
soon as the will should be proved.

Pending the legal process necessary to do this, the widow made a great
parade of her grief and affection for the dead man. She had the body
re-enclosed in a new and sumptuous coffin, and removed the same to
Berwin Manor, near Bath, where, after a short lapse of time, it was duly
placed in the family vault of the Vrains.

The widow, having thus disposed of her husband, bethought herself of her
stepdaughter, who at that time was on a visit to some friends in
Australia. A long letter, giving full details, was despatched by Mrs.
Vrain, and the daughter was requested, both by the widow and the lawyer,
to come back to England at once and take up her abode in Berwin Manor,
which, with its surrounding acres, had been left to her under the will.

Matters connected with the death and its consequences having been
disposed of thus far, Mrs. Vrain sat down, and, folding her hands,
waited till such time as she would receive the assurance money, and
begin a new life as a wealthy and fascinating widow. Every one said that
the little woman had behaved very well, and that Vrain--weak-headed as
he was supposed to be--had shown excellent judgment in dividing his
property, real and personal, so equally between the two claimants. Miss
Vrain, as became the child of the first wife, received the home and
acres of her ancestors; while the second wife obtained the assurance
money, which every one candidly admitted she quite deserved for having
sacrificed her youth and beauty to an old man like Vrain. In those days,
when all these details were being settled, the widow was the most
popular personage in Bath.

Matters went smoothly with Mrs. Vrain in every respect. The will was
duly proved, the twenty thousand pounds was duly paid over; so, finding
herself rich, the wido