The will was short and concise. My lord left the whole of his personality to his only child, the Lady Elaine, upon the condition that she became the wife of Viscount Henry Rivington within six months of the date of the will. If she refused to obey this last wish of the earl his fortune would pass away to various charitable institutions, which were carefully named. In addition, the viscount was made joint-executor with Lady Gaynor. As the title and estate of Seabright Hall reverted to the next male heir in succession the earl’s daughter would be under the immediate control of the executors. There was a clause to the effect that if the marriage was not consummated, through the refusal or inability of the viscount to ratify the contract, the whole of the earl’s fortune would be devoted to the exclusive enjoyment of his daughter, the Lady Elaine Seabright. In the presence of many witnesses the will was signed, and twenty minutes later my lord breathed his last. It was an impressive scene. The awful suddenness seemed to have bewildered everybody, and Lady Elaine hardly realized that her father was, indeed, no more until she was gently led from the death-chamber by Lady Gaynor and the doctor. The earl had ever been a selfish man, but, notwithstanding her loveless life, the full force of her loss seemed to numb every sense for a time. At last she burst into a passion of tears. How well she understood his last words to her, and how her soul revolted from the wishes they expressed. “We quarreled this morning, Elaine. Do not let a last disobedience haunt you through life. I mean all for the best, child. Annesley has left you to humiliation and scorn. Obey my last wishes, and some day you will understand that I have acted harshly to be kind.” Her reply had been a sob, and a few moments later a quick, fluttering sigh told that all was over. He was gone--first her lover, and then her father; and, locked in her own apartments, she gave way to her grief in sobs and tears. CHAPTER XIV. AN EVIL GENIUS. It was not until the funeral was over and my lord’s last will and testament had been read that Lady Elaine Seabright was brought to a knowledge of her true position. She had many sympathizing friends, and the new earl and lord of the domain kindly offered to leave the house and effects at her disposal for any reasonable length of time. “Indeed,” he added, magnanimously, “with the consent of my wife and daughters, I may offer you a home here until the viscount claims you. The late earl and I were not good friends simply because he had no son and I was his natural heir.” Elaine thanked her cousin, but told him that what he had proposed was impossible. The old family lawyer was thoroughly indignant, and muttered threats about contesting the last will; but what could he do in face of a dozen witnesses, who were all convinced that the earl’s mind had been clear to the last? Besides, Lady Elaine would never have consented to such a course of action.