"Here comes the straggler," said Mr. Daventry, as Dr. Spreckley was ushered into the room. Ella rose and shook hands with him warmly, and Hubert placed a chair for him. Then Mr. Daventry settled his spectacles on his nose, and spread open the will. The will itself was dated some three years previously, but had been added to and altered by various codicils from time to time. The last codicil was dated November 10th of the previous year, and was witnessed by Mr. Daventry's clerk, and by Phemie Hargrave, at that time housemaid at the Hall. A brief summary of the various items comprised in the will and its codicils is all that need be given here. To his kinswoman, Gertrude Carlyon, as a token of affection and esteem, and in recognition of her kindness to his niece, Ella Winter, the testator bequeathed the sum of two thousand guineas. To his old friend and medical attendant, Dr. Spreckley, as a token of sincere liking and esteem, was bequeathed the sum of five hundred guineas. This legacy was included in a codicil which bore date after Dr. Spreckley had ceased to be the Squire's medical attendant. To his old, tried, and faithful servant, Aaron Stone, the testator bequeathed an immediate legacy of two hundred guineas, together with an annuity of two hundred pounds per annum for life, the annuity to be continued to his wife for her life, should Aaron die first. To Hubert Stone, for services faithfully rendered, was bequeathed the sum of seven hundred guineas. In this case the sum originally named in the will was three hundred guineas, but had been increased to seven hundred in the last codicil. To John Tilney, the gardener, the sum of one hundred guineas. To Edward Conroy, "a young fellow whom I like, I can't tell why," the sum of one hundred guineas. A smaller legacy to the coachman, and to one or two others of the dependents, completed this part of the will. Ella started at the name of Conroy; in spite of herself her cheeks flushed rosy red. She turned her face away to hide its colour. "I don't know this young fellow," observed Mr. Daventry, alluding to Conroy. "Neither himself nor his address." The reading was soon over. Everything, save what was taken up by these legacies, was bequeathed to Ella Winter--houses, lands, money, all unconditionally--in a few brief loving terms which set the girl's tears flowing afresh. In the last lines of the will was expressed a wish of the testator--it was not made an absolute condition--that in case of his niece, Ella Winter, ever getting married, her husband should change his name to Denison--in order, as it was expressed, that "the old name might not be forgotten in the land."