will sink the embellishments and give those points alone. This may be done in few words.

Well, then :-after willing two or three small legacies to friends, the largest of which was ten pounds to Doctor Mc Squills (who was nominated sole executor) for mourning, she bequeathed to Phineas Quiddy "as a reward for his attention to my interests in the management of my business-my share of the stock in trade, including the little figures of the Black-boy and Highlander; and also—”

Mr. Grubb paused to wipe his spectacles-invariably a slow operation with a grave person when engaged in a grave affair-and Quiddy said, with a sigh,

"Well I was a slave to her, that all the world knows;" whilst a momentary expression of pleasure crossed Janet's countenance at hearing so much of Quiddy's good fortune.

The attorney resumed :-" And, also, in token of the value I set upon his disinterested affection for me, as proved by his offer of marriage on the evening of -;" (the precise date was mentioned), "and of the degree of respect which I entertain for him in consequence of the same, the sum of " Again the attorney paused to wipe his spectacles, keeping Quiddy breathless with expectation-" the sum of one-pound-one for the purchase of a ring."

At the reading of this clause, which was new, at least in its terms, to Quiddy, (for Grubb had omitted to state those in his recent confidential communication), Quiddy looked at once silly and savage, and bit his lips till tears, real tears, dropped from his eyes. Poor Janet drooped her head and turned all colours of the rainbow-a common expression which we believe to be rather intended as figurative than to be taken as philosophically true; whilst Mc Squills, with a chuckle which he could not restrain, exclaimed—

"Deil tak me but the old woman had some fun in her, and that's the truth o' it!"

Grubb proceeded :-" And to Janet Gray whatever else she died possessed of, in money, household goods, wearing apparel, and so forth -her money in the funds amounting alone to rather more than five hundred pounds."

At this announcement Janet was literally stupified. She looked about her with a vacant gaze as if some great calamity had suddenly befallen her, nor did she immediately recover herself even when Mc Squills, in an ecstacy of delight, started from his chair, and, giving her a hearty kiss, exclaimed—

"I sincerely congratulate you on your guid fortune, and wish it may bring you what you deserve some guid mon for a husband worthy to share it with you." Adding, as he resumed his seat, and with a pretended sigh- Ech! Janet girl, I wish I were thirty years younger!"

Quiddy thought it requisite that he also should express his congratulations, and muttered something about how very glad he was "that Janet needn't be under no obligations to nobody now, whatever people's good intentions was when they thought she needed them." This observation was specially intended for Janet, but it was so indistinctly uttered, that she would hardly have understood it even had she been an attentive listener, which, at that moment, she was not.

But

her attention was speedily recalled by Mr. Grubb to something "very important;" and so indeed it was. This was nothing less than a clause rescinding the whole of the bequest to Janet, with the exception of fifty pounds, in case she should marry Phineas Quiddy, for the reason that the testatrix felt perfectly assured that he was unworthy of her. If she did, then the residue was to be distributed amongst certain charitable institutions. Beyond that single restriction Janet was at liberty to marry whomsoever she would, or to remain unmarried, just as she chose. Doctor Mc Squills, and one other friend, were requested to act as trustees for her, the nature of the trust being specified. The testatrix taking it for granted that Janet would not remain in the house longer than was unavoidable, directed that the furniture should be sold for her benefit-leaving to Quiddy the complimentary privilege of purchasing it at a fair valuation-if he could find the means of so doing.

The "very important" clause, of which Quiddy till now was ignorant (as his recent conduct to Janet must prove), fell upon him like a thunderbolt crushing at once his hopes and his disinterested affection for the residuary legatee. But, as there are few misfortunes which are utterly beyond the reach of consolation, so was it, in the present case, with Quiddy, who consoled himself with the reflection that there was some luck, at least, in Janet's rejecting his offer of marriage: "for," as he wisely thought, " as the will stands, I should only have got fifty pounds by marrying her, and that would hardly have been worth while." Another consoling consideration was, that the widow's two-thirds of the pig-tail, Virginia, and rappee were now his, adding by so much to his possessions-another consequence of "sheer industry"—and, again, thought Quiddy, "that's summut."

"And what am I to do with all this? it's a million times more than I shall ever have occasion for," said Janet, having somewhat recovered from her astonishment, but not exhibiting the slightest symptoms of joy at her good fortune.

"Never fash yoursel about that," said Mc Squills; "we'll think of some way of settling it for your advantage. But, lassie, dinna look sae glum about it: a wee bit too much o' the siller is an accident on the right side at ony rate. Ech, guid lord! naebody would tak' you for a reseediary legatee by the look o' ye."

"I wish my dear kind mistress had left it to somebody that would have had more pleasure in it; or that it had been only a few pounds just to-"

"Just let weel alone, Janet," said Mc Squills interrupting her; adding significantly, and in a whisper, "ye'll be better with it than with thae fifty pounds you wot of."

"To-morrow we will have some further conversation with Miss Gray," said Grubb, folding up the will; "and as you, doctor, are sole executor-"

46

To-morrow, sir!" said Janet, "but I'm going away to-day." "Going!" exclaimed Law and Physic, simultaneously; "and

where?"

"I am going back to my native town," continued Janet.

"But, my dear Miss Gray," said Grubb, respectfully, as was be

fitting towards an heiress, we cannot well do without you-for a few days, at least."

"Then what am I to do, sir? I can't remain here"-(This she said in a tone of determination which carried with it the meaning of “I won't")—" and unless I go back to Aberdeen, I have nowhere to go to. Besides" (and an important point it was, considering the quantity of her luggage) "besides, I have packed up all my things."

"Mr. Grubb is right, lassie," said Mc Squills; "you had better remain in Lunnun till matters are put into some shape. For that time, you shall stay in my house, and my sister, bless her auld soul! will tak' care o' ye. As for your luggage we'll put that into a hackneycoach; or perhaps a porter might manage to carry it for you."

At length, after a pause, Janet, who had been reflecting upon the first part of the doctor's speech, without attending to the last, said

"Well, sir, I'm sure I can't be wrong in following your advice. I'm very grateful to you for your kind offer, and so, if you please, sir, as I have nothing more to do here, I'd rather go with you now-immediately."

To this the doctor willingly assented, and Janet withdrew to put on her bonnet and shawl-the only remaining portion of the necessary preparations for her departure. At the same time Grubb took his leave, promising to see the doctor again in the afternoon.

"Aweel, Meester Queddy," in a tone of consolation, said Mc Squills to the gentleman with the one-pound-one, who with a downcast look sat biting his lips for very vexation and disappointment—" Aweel, its just nae use to give up to sorrow for your loss." (Quiddy emitted a long deep sigh.) "I dinna mean the loss of the siller, mon, which you are above caring for, but of your guid friend, the widow."

for

"In course," replied Quiddy, "that's what I mean."

"Meester Queddy--I'm varra greatly astonished she didna do better you, for you loved her varra sincerely."

"I lov- I liked her disinterested, sir," said Quiddy, rather angrily.

"Tenderly, Meester Queddy, tenderly, as I weel ken; your love for the old lady brought you near to death's door, and it would ha' been opened to you if I hadna come to your assistance, for you had aw but got the knocker in your hand, as a body may say."

"I'd thank you not to touch upon that 'ere matter, sir," said Quiddy ; "it's of a delicate nature.”

"But then," continued the doctor, "there's her two-thirds of the stock in trade, which (not meaning a paltry pun at it) is not to be sneezed at. That's worth a guid round hundred to you."

"I'm sure I haven't an idea," replied Quiddy, sulkily.

"Weel, mon, I never suspected you had, so dinna fash yoursel." "I mean of its vally, sir: it may be, or it mayn't; but it a'n't for its vally I consider it."

"Meester Queddy"-again burst out the imperturbable doctor, after a momentary silence-" Meester Queddy, I'm thinking the widow ken'd your character right weel: she just appreciated the delicacy o' your sentiments. That guinea, Meester Queddy! what could be mair delicate or mair elegant-or mair refined? Had she bequeathed you