When she came out from under the last apple-tree, he saw her stop and waver. She was lovelier still than he remembered her, and he went up to her and took her hand. She blushed, and he could feel it tremble as it lay in his. “I--I thought you were abroad,” said she. “I have come back,” he answered, simply. III. THE POSTHUMOUS JEST. An hour later Schmidt was sitting by the front door, smoking his long pipe, when he thought he saw his master crossing the lawn along the lily-pond. But he was walking hand in hand with a young lady. The long pipe dropped from Schmidt’s hand; and “Potztausend!” The imperturbable valet was moved to say as much as this, but of further speech remained incapable. May approached. “Schmidt, you will go to town and get the rest of my luggage.” The valet only stared. “And after this I shall not need your services. I will find you a good place (with some of my bachelor friends,” thought May; “poor devils!”). Schmidt still stood there, his broken pipe upon the door-step. “Do you hear what I say?” Schmidt made an effort. “There is a letter for monsieur--in the pavilion.” A letter! May trembled to himself once more. “I must go home,” said May Austin, still blushing violently. She lived in a cottage there, near by, that she had bought with her slender fortune. But May begged her to wait until he had gone to the pavilion, and then he would go with her. He feared that he knew what the letter was. But it had come too late! A thousand countesses could not bind him now. Coming thither, May sat upon the door-step, and Austin opened the letter. LAW OFFICES OF VESEY & BEAMES, 3 COURT STREET, BOSTON, August 14, 1886. AUSTIN MAY, Esq., Brookline, Mass. DEAR SIR: The eleven years’ delay required by the will of your late uncle, John Austin, having expired to-day, I have much satisfaction in sending you a copy (herein enclosed) of the document contained in the sealed envelope referred to in said will, and constituting his residuary legatee; although, as I am informed that you have never married, the residuary clause of the will does not take effect. The executors hold themselves in readiness to deliver over to you all the securities and title-deeds representing your uncle’s estate upon receiving from you an affidavit that you have not, up to date, contracted a legal marriage.