An early dinner was ordered, for the purpose of giving ample time in

the afternoon for the reading of the will.

Owing to the kind forbearance of each member of this little family,

their meeting with their guest at the table was not so awkward as it

might have been rendered. Mrs. Rocke had concealed the insults that had

been offered her; Traverse had said nothing of the affronts put upon

him. So that each, having only their own private injuries to resent,

felt free in forbearing. Nothing but this sort of prudence on the part

of individuals rendered their meeting around one board possible.

While they were still at the table the attorney, Mr. Sauter, with

Doctors Williams and Dawson, arrived, and was shown into the library.

And very soon after the dessert was put upon the table the family left

it and, accompanied by Colonel Le Noir, adjourned to the library. After

the usual salutations they arranged themselves along each side of an

extension table, at the head of which the attorney placed himself.

In the midst of a profound silence the will was opened and read. It was

dated three years before.

The bulk of his estate, after the paying a few legacies, was left to

his esteemed brother-in-law, Gabriel Le Noir, in trust for his only

daughter, Clara Day, until the latter should attain the age of

twenty-one, at which period she was to come into possession of the

property. Then followed the distribution of the legacies. Among the

rest the sum of a thousand dollars was left to his young friend

Traverse Rocke, and another thousand to his esteemed neighbor Marah

Rocke. Gabriel Le Noir was appointed sole executor of the will, trustee

of the property and guardian of the heiress.

At the conclusion of the reading Mr. Sauter folded the document and

laid it upon the table.

Colonel Le Noir arose and said: "The will of the late Doctor Day has been read in your presence. I

presume you all heard it, and that there can be no mistake as to its

purport. All that remains now is to act upon it. I shall claim the

usual privilege of twelve months before administering upon the estate

or paying the legacies. In the mean time, I shall assume the charge of

my ward's person, and convey her to my own residence, known as the

Hidden House. Mrs. Rocke," he said, turning toward the latter, "your

presence and that of your young charge is no longer required here. Be

so good as to prepare Miss Day's traveling trunks, as we set out from

this place to-morrow morning."




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