Silence again, as far as we were concerned, settled upon the destinies of the descendants of our old military client, till one fine morning a letter from Dr. Hampton informed us of the sudden death by apoplexy, a few days previously, of the East India director.  Dr. Hampton further hinted that he should have occasion to write us again in a day or two, relative to the deceased’s affairs, which, owing to Mr. Thorneycroft’s unconquerable aversion to making a will, had, it was feared, been left in an extremely unsatisfactory state.  Dr. Hampton had written to us, at the widow’s request, in consequence of his having informed her that we had been the professional advisers of Major Stewart, and were in all probability those of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Allerton.

We did not quite comprehend the drift of this curious epistle; but although not specially instructed, we determined at once to write to Mrs. Rosamond Thorneycroft or Allerton, who with her family was still abroad, and in the meantime take such formal steps in her behalf as might appear necessary.

We were not long in doubt as to the motives of the extremely civil application to ourselves on the part of the widow of the East India director.  The deceased’s wealth had been almost all invested in land, which went, he having died intestate, to his nephew’s son, Henry Allerton; and the personals in which the widow would share were consequently of very small amount.  Mrs. Thorneycroft was, therefore, anxious to propose, through us, a more satisfactory and equitable arrangement.  We could of course say nothing till the arrival of Mrs. Rosamond Allerton, for which, however, we had only a brief time to wait.  There were, we found, no indisposition on that lady’s part to act with generosity towards Mr. Thorneycroft’s widow—­a showy, vulgarish person, by the way, of about forty years of age—­but there was a legal difficulty in the way, in consequence of the heir-at-law being a minor.  Mrs. Thorneycroft became at length terribly incensed, and talked a good deal of angry nonsense about disputing the claim of Henry Allerton’s son to the estates, on the ground that his marriage, having been contracted in a wrong name, was null and void.  Several annoying paragraphs got in consequence into the Sunday newspapers, and these brought about a terrible disclosure.

About twelve o’clock one day, the Widow Thorneycroft bounced unceremoniously into the office, dragging in with her a comely and rather interesting-looking young woman, but of a decidedly rustic complexion and accent, and followed by a grave, middle-aged clergyman.  The widow’s large eyes sparkled with strong excitement, and her somewhat swarthy features were flushed with hot blood.

“I have brought you,” she burst out abruptly, “the real Mrs. Allerton, and”—­

“No, no!” interrupted the young woman, who appeared much agitated—­“Thorneycroft, not Allerton!”—­

“I know, child—­I know; but that is nothing to the purpose.  This young person, Mr. Sharp, is, I repeat, the true and lawful Mrs. Henry Allerton.”