"As soon as he has obtained the grant of letters of administration, which cannot take place till the end of fourteen days from her Ladyship's death--that being one difference, as you are aware, between the powers of an executor and an administrator." Mr. Aubrey sighed; and made no reply; while Mr. Runnington looked at him for some moments in silence, as if doubting whether to mention something which had occurred to him. At length--"Of course, Mr. Aubrey," he commenced, "one does not like to raise groundless hopes or fears; but, do you know, I am by no means free from doubts as to the reality of Lady Stratton's intestacy--whether the draft of her proposed will, brought to her by Mr. Parkinson, could not be admitted to probate. Very--very nice questions, as you must be aware, often arise out of cases like these! Since seeing you this morning, I have written off to Mr. Parkinson for full and accurate information on the point; and if I get a satisfactory answer, with your consent I will certainly lodge a _caveat_ against the grant of titles of administration. That would indeed checkmate them! But I have very slight hopes indeed of receiving such an answer as one could wish," added Mr. Runnington, fearful of exciting fruitless expectations. Shortly afterwards, Miss Aubrey, who had appeared for some little time laboring under considerable excitement, addressing her brother, said with evident embarrassment--"Charles, I am very anxious to mention something that has occurred to me of a very singular nature--if you think I am at liberty to do so; and I shall first ask you and Mr. Runnington, whether, under the circumstances, you consider me entitled to disclose what I allude to." "Kate, Kate!--what is this?--What do you mean? You quite alarm me!" inquired her brother, with an amazed air. "Suppose Mr. Gammon, on the occasion of his calling upon me, which has been recently mentioned, volunteered a statement of a very, very extraordinary description--one that has ever since quite _haunted_ me, day and night. Mind, Charles--I say that, in the first instance, he _volunteered_ it, only expressing an earnest wish that I should mention it to no one; on which I said I should make no promise, but act as I might think proper; and after my saying this, he made the communication I allude to. _Should_ I be at liberty," continued Miss Aubrey, eagerly and anxiously, "now to disclose what he told me? I am dying to do it, if I may, honorably." "My dear Kate, I really fear you are wandering--that you are overcome with the sufferings you have gone through to-day," said her brother, tenderly, and with infinite concern. "Indeed, Charles, I am not," she answered with great earnestness. "Then I am of opinion that you may most certainly mention anything so communicated to you--I have no doubt, Kate." "Nor I, Miss Aubrey," added Mr. Runnington, eagerly; "nay, I go farther--with a man like him, I think it is your _duty_ to disclose anything he may have said to you."