The Will

           Thechurchwasdrapedinblack,andoverthedooralargeescutcheonsurmountedbyacoronetannouncedtothepassers-bythatanoblemanwasbeingburied.Theceremonywasjustover;thosepresentwentoutslowly,passingbythecoffin,andbyCountdeVaudrec’snephew,whoshookhandsandreturnedsalutations.

           WhenGeorgesduRoyandhiswifeleftthechurch,theywalkedalongsidebysideontheirwayhome.Theydidnotspeak;theywerebothpreoccupied.AtlengthGeorgessaid,asiftalkingtohimself:"Trulyitisveryastonishing!"

           Madeleineasked:"What,myfriend?"

           "ThatVaudrecleftusnothing."

           Sheblushedandsaid:"Whyshouldheleaveusanything?Hadheanyreasonfordoingso?"Thenafterseveralmomentsofsilence,shecontinued:"Perhapsthereisawillatalawyer’s;weshouldnotknowofit."

           Hereplied:"Thatispossible,forhewasourbestfriend.Hedinedwithustwiceaweek;hecameatanytime;hewasathomewithus.Helovedyouasafather;hehadnofamily,nochildren,nobrothersnorsisters,onlyanephew.Yes,thereshouldbeawill.Iwouldnotcareformuch—aremembrancetoprovethathethoughtofus—thatherecognizedtheaffectionwefeltforhim.Weshouldcertainlyhaveamarkoffriendship."

           Shesaidwithapensiveandindifferentair:"Itispossiblethatthereisawill."

           Whentheyenteredthehouse,thefootmanhandedMadeleinealetter.Sheopeneditandofferedittoherhusband.