What a change of circumstances was here!  I was not only virtually released from debt, but had Clawbonny restored to me, and was master of all I had ever owned, my earnings and the money invested in the Dawn excepted.  This last was irretrievably gone, it was true, but, in its place I had the ample legacy of John Wallingford as a compensation.  This legacy consisted of a large sum in the three per cents, which then sold at about sixty, but were subsequently paid off at par, of good bank and insurance stocks, bonds and mortgages, and a valuable and productive real property in the western part of the State, with several buildings in town.  In a word, I was even richer than Lucy, and no longer need consider myself as one living on her generosity.  It is not difficult to believe I was made supremely happy by this news, and I looked to Lucy for sympathy.  As for the dear girl herself, I do believe she felt anything but pleasure, at this new accession of riches; for she had a deep satisfaction in thinking that it was in her power to prove to me how completely I possessed her confidence, by placing all she had in my hands.  Nevertheless, she loved Clawbonny as well as I did myself, and my restoration to the throne of my fathers was a subject of mutual delight.

Mr. Harrison went on to say that he had ascertained Daggett was in town, to conduct the expected arrangement with me, on the subject of my personals, and that he had already sent a messenger to his attorney, to let the existence of the will be known.  He had, consequently, strong hopes of arranging matters, in the course of the next twenty-four hours.  We were still at table, in effect, when the messenger came to let us know an interview was appointed at the office of this eminent counsel, and we all adjourned to that place, Lucy excepted, as soon as the cloth was removed; for, in that day, cloths were always removed.  At the office, we found Mr. Daggett, whom I now saw for the first time, and his legal adviser, already waiting for us.  One glance sufficed to let us into the secret of the consternation both were in, for the lawer had committed himself in the course of the proceedings he had had an agency in conducting, almost as much as his client.

“This is strange news to us, Mr. Harrison,” the attorney commenced; “though your character and reputation, I will confess, make it look serious.  Is there no mistake in the matter, sir?”

“None whatever, Mr. Meekly.  If you will have the goodness to read this will, sir, you will perceive that the facts have been truly laid before your client; and, as to the authenticity of the document, I can only say, it was not only drawn up by myself, under precise instructions from Mr. Wallingford,—­which instructions I still possess, in his own hand-writing,—­but the will was copied by my client, as well as signed and sealed in my presence, as one of the witnesses.  So far as relates to the personals, this will would be valid, though not signed by the testator, supposing no other will to exist.  But, I flatter myself, you will find everything correct as to forms.”