“How does he impress you?” I asked.

“Favorably, upon the whole; though,” she added with one of her meaning smiles, “I can’t help thinking all the time about the cool, calculating, resolute way in which he went about disentangling himself from an unfortunate love affair.  I look at his calm face, over which you rarely see a ripple of feeling go, and ask myself, sometimes, if a heart really beats within his bosom.”

“There does; a true, large, manly heart, full of deep feeling; you may be sure of this, madam,” I answered, with some warmth.

“I will not gainsay your words, Doctor.  I trust for his sake that it may be so.”

“Leaving out the heart matter, and regarding him only as to his fitness for the work in hand, you are favorably impressed?”

“Quite so.  I find him quick of apprehension, intelligent, and of sufficient gravity of deportment to ensure a respectful attention wherever he may go.  He made one suggestion that ought to have occurred to me, and upon which I am acting.  As no will has been found, it has been assumed that Captain Allen died intestate.  Mr. Wallingford suggests that a will may have been executed; and that a thorough search be made in order to discover if one exists.  In consequence of this suggestion, Blanche and I have been hard at work for two days, prying into drawers, examining old papers, and looking into all conceivable, and I had almost said inconceivable places.”

“And if you were to find a will?” said I, looking into her earnest face.

“The question would be that much nearer to a solution.”

“Is it at all probable that it would be in your favor?”

I saw her start at the query, while her brows closed slightly, as if from a sudden pain.  She looked at me steadily for a few moments, without speaking; then, after a long inspiration, she said: 

“Whether in my favor or not, any disposition that he has made of his property, in law and right, must, of course, stand good.”

“You might contest such a will, if not in your favor.”

She shook her head, compressed her lips firmly, and said: 

“No.  I should not contest the will.  My belief was, when I came here, that he died without making a bequest of any kind, and that his property would go, in consequence, to the heir-at-law.  This was the information that I received.  If it should prove otherwise, I shall make no opposition.”

“Do you intend, under this view, continuing the search for a will?”

Something in the tone of voice touched her unpleasantly.  I saw the light in her eyes glow intenser, and her lips arch.

“Why not?” she asked, looking at me steadily.  I could have given another meaning to my question from the one I intended to convey, had it so pleased me, and thus avoided a probable offence.  But I wished to see a little deeper into the quality of her mind, and so used the probe that was in my hand.