“I have for some time been a tenant of yours, Mr. Cornelius,” said I, handing the gentleman a chair; “and I suppose that I may attribute this visit to a worthy desire on your part to become acquainted with one who, thus far, has exhibited no sign of an intention to quit.” “I am too old a man to wish for new acquaintances, Mr. Didimus; and had you referred my call to a knowledge of your reputation for attention to business, and a want of your professional services, you would have come much nearer the truth.” I thanked him, both for the compliment and his confidence; and requested a statement of his case. “Time is money,” said Mr. Cornelius; “and a few words shall not long detain either of us. In October last, a Mr. Andrews died; my debtor to the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars. The debt is secured by mortgage upon his house; but his widow comes in for twice the sum, in virtue of her paraphernal rights, and as her claim is older than mine, it will sweep away all, unless I can show that the marriage was void in law.” “In what respect, Mr. Cornelius?” “Andrews had a wife living at the time of his second marriage.” “Had the second wife any knowledge of the fact before her cohabitation with the deceased, or at any period thereafter, prior to the springing of her claim, with the simultaneous mortgage which the law gives to married women and minors as their best security?” “Perhaps not.” “How much does the second wife claim?” “Fifty thousand dollars.” “What is the value of the succession?” “The house may be worth twenty; and the house is all.” “If you succeed, the widow is a beggar?” “Yes.” “Both law and justice are against you, Mr. Cornelius.”