"I slept there last night," he proceeded, "and breakfasted there this
morning, and nothing could exceed the cordiality and kindness of my
reception."

"Did they know who you were?" asked his mother, with evident interest.

"Not till this morning, at breakfast."

"Well," said she again, "when they heard it?"

"Why, their attention and kindness even redoubled," replied her son;
"and as for Miss Goodwin herself, she's as elegant, as sweet, and as
lovely a girl as I ever looked on. Mother, I beg you to entertain no
implacable or inveterate enmity against her. I will stake my existence
that she never stooped to any fraudulent circumvention of my poor
uncle. Take my word for it, the intent and execution of the will must be
accounted for otherwise."

"Well and truly said, Harry," said his step-father--"well and generously
said; give me your hand,--my boy; thank you. Now, madam," he proceeded,
addressing his wife, "what have you to say to the opinion of a man who
has lost so much by the transaction, when you hear that that opinion is
given in her favor?"

"Indeed, my dear Harry," observed his sister, "she is all that you
have said of her, and much more, if you knew her as we do; she is all
disinterestedness and truth, and the most unselfish girl that ever
breathed."

Now, there were two persons present who paused upon hearing this