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244 nature of the catastrophe that had befallen the doctor. Mr. Dowling seizing Mrs. Courtenay, as she seemed about to fall, led her away, calm, majestic, and broken-hearted.

"I know not why," she exclaimed, as the good man supported her through the throng, "but I had presentiment of evil. That man, strange to say, was always connected in my mind with it. I never trusted him. When first I saw, I shuddered. Did you mark how he cowed? how the brand of Cain seemed written on his craven countenance? I feel sure there was foul play."

The shadow of death brooded over the once smiling valley. With muffled voice men and women spake of the wise and good—seemingly greater in death—mysteriously snatched. By degrees a terrible rumour, that touched them more acutely still, went abroad. The entire property, upon which for years they had laboured, had devolved unconditionally, it was whispered, upon Elms.

"That could not be!" all exclaimed. Again and again had the doctor assured them that every provision had been made for protection of their interests. Could he, all the while, have intended to hand them over to the tender mercies of this man all instinctively distrusted? Alas! the deed was drawn three years before—was actually in existence when the doctor gave his specious assurances.

More powerfully does loss of property affect many than the death of their dearest friend. Witness so often tears of sorrow suddenly drying on the face, that glows with rage when it is discovered, after the funeral obsequies, that in the will the mourner has been forgotten. Considerations respecting property and gain rule, alas! under