Her deplorable death releases me from the restraint which I had
imposed on myself, and permits--or, more properly, obliges me to speak.
You shall know what serious reasons I had for waiting day and night in
the hope of obtaining that interview which unhappily never took place;
and in justice to Mr. Vanstone's memory, your own eyes shall inform you
that he made his will."
He rose; unlocked a little iron safe in the corner of the room; and
returned to the table with some folded sheets of paper, which he spread
open under Miss Garth's eyes. When she had read the first words, "In the
name of God, Amen," he turned the sheet, and pointed to the end of the
next page. She saw the well-known signature: "Andrew Vanstone." She saw
the customary attestations of the two witnesses; and the date of the
document, reverting to a period of more than five years since. Having
thus convinced her of the formality of the will, the lawyer interposed
before she could question him, and addressed her in these words:
"I must not deceive you," he said. "I have my own reasons for producing
this document."
"What reasons, sir?"
"You shall hear them. When you are in possession of the truth, these
pages may help to preserve your respect for Mr.
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