between the deceased and a certain Lieutenant O'Kean of a marching
regiment of foot; and tied up with the letters was a document
which at once explained to the relatives why a connexion that
boded them little good had been suddenly broken off, being the
Lieutenant's bond for two hundred pounds, upon which NO interest
whatever appeared to have been paid. Other bills and bonds to a
larger amount, and signed by better names (I mean commercially)
than those of the worthy divine and gallant soldier, also occurred
in the course of their researches, besides a hoard of coins of
every size and denomination, and scraps of broken gold and silver,
old earrings, hinges of cracked, snuff-boxes, mountings of
spectacles, etc. etc. etc. Still no will made its appearance, and
Colonel Mannering began full well to hope that the settlement
which he had obtained from Glossin contained the ultimate
arrangement of the old lady's affairs. But his friend Pleydell,
who now came into the room, cautioned him against entertaining
this belief.

'I am well acquainted with the gentleman,' he said, 'who is
conducting the search, and I guess from his manner that he knows
something more of the matter than any of us.'

Meantime, while the search proceeds, let us take a brief glance at
one or two of the company who seem most interested.

Of Dinmont, who, with his large hunting-whip under his arm, stood
poking his great round face over the shoulder of the homme
d'affaires, it is unnecessary to say anything. That thin-looking
oldish person, in a most correct and gentleman-like suit of
mourning, is Mac-Casquil, formerly of Drumquag, who was ruined by