That day in the study I found four papers which increased my perturbation. They were in dear papa's handwriting, and had an indorsement in these words--'Copy of my letter addressed to ----, one of the trustees named in my will.' Here, then, were the contents of those four sealed letters which had excited mine and Lady Knollys' curiosity on the agitating day on which the will was read. It contained these words:-- 'I name my oppressed and unhappy brother, Silas Ruthyn, residing at my house of Bartram-Haugh, as guardian of the person of my beloved child, to convince the world if possible, and failing that, to satisfy at least all future generations of our family, that his brother, who knew him best, had implicit confidence in him, and that he deserved it. A cowardly and preposterous slander, originating in political malice, and which never have been whispered had he not been poor and imprudent, is best silenced by this ordeal of purification. All I possess goes to him if my child dies under age; and the custody of her person I commit meanwhile to him alone, knowing that she is as safe in his as she could have been under my own care. I rely upon your remembrance of our early friendship to make this known wherever an opportunity occurs, and also to say what your sense of justice may warrant.' The other letters were in the same spirit. My heart sank like lead as I read them. I quaked with fear. What had I done? My father's wise and noble vindication of our dishonoured name I had presumed to frustrate. I had, like a coward, receded from my easy share in the task; and, merciful Heaven, I had broken my faith with the dead! With these letters in my hand, white with fear, I flew like a shadow to the drawing-room where Cousin Monica was, and told her to read them. I saw by her countenance how much alarmed she was by my looks, but she said nothing, only read the letters hurriedly, and then exclaimed-- 'Is this all, my dear child? I really fancied you had found a second will, and had lost everything. Why, my dearest Maud, we knew all this before. We quite understood poor dear Austin's motive. Why are you so easily disturbed?' 'Oh, Cousin Monica, I think he was right; it all seems quite reasonable now; and I--oh, what a crime!--it must be stopped.' 'My dear Maud, listen to reason. Doctor Bryerly has seen your uncle at Bartram at least two hours ago. You _can't_ stop it, and why on earth should you if you could? Don't you think your uncle should be consulted?' said she. 'But he has _decided_. I have his letter speaking of it as settled; and Doctor Bryerly--oh, Cousin Monica, he's gone _to tempt him_.'