.

THE DOCTOR'S WILL.
While these events were taking place the post master had hurried home to open the mysterious package and know its contents.
To my dear Ursula Mirouet, daughter of my natural half-brother, Joseph Mirouet, and Dinah Grollman:-- My dear Angel,--The fatherly affection I bear you--and which you have so fully justified--came not only from the promise I gave your father to take his place, but also from your resemblance to my wife, Ursula Mirouet, whose grace, intelligence, frankness, and charm you constantly recall to my mind.

Your position as the daughter of a natural son of my father-in-law might invalidate all testamentary bequests made by me in your favor-- "The old rascal!" cried the post master.
Had I adopted you the result might also have been a lawsuit, and I shrank from the idea of transmitting my fortune to you by marriage, for I might live years and thus interfere with your happiness, which is now delayed only by Madame de Portenduere.

Having weighted these difficulties carefully, and wishing to leave you enough money to secure to you a prosperous existence-- "The scoundrel, he has thought of everything!" -- without injuring my heirs-- "The Jesuit! as if he did not owe us every penny of his money!"-- I intend you to have the savings from my income which I have for the last eighteen years steadily invested, by the help of my notary, seeking to make you thereby as happy as any one can be made by riches.

Without means, your education and your lofty ideas would cause you unhappiness.
Besides, you ought to bring a liberal dowry to the fine young man who loves you.