"Dear Carlin,—
"You will find my last will enclosed in this letter. I have written it in duplicate. One copy I am keeping. This is the other, and I charge you to publish it if the first be not forthcoming. Do you understand? Very well then; and when we meet I forbid you absolutely to worry me with your advice, as is your d——d custom. You are the only person in whom I have confidence, but, after all, it is my right to command, and your duty to obey. Therefore all advice is useless and will not be tolerated. Good-bye.
"Your affectionate master,
"Franco Maironi.
"Cressogno, 22 Sept., 1828."
"Now here is the will," said Gilardoni dolefully, handing Franco another yellow document, "but don't read that aloud."
The document read as follows:
"I, the undersigned, Nobile Franco Maironi, desire that my estate be divided in accordance with this, my last will and testament.
"Donna Orsola Maironi, born Marchesa Scremin, having deigned to accept my homage as well as that of many others, I bequeath to her, in proof of my gratitude, the sum of ten thousand Milanese Lire, to be paid once and for all, and what, to her, is the most precious jewel of my household, namely Don Alessandro Maironi, duly inscribed in the parish-registers of the Cathedral of Brescia as my son.
"I bequeath to my said son that part of my property which is lawfully due to him, and three parpagliole [H] a day more, in token of the special esteem in which I hold him.
"I leave to my agent in Brescia, Signor Grigi, should he be still in my employ at the time of my death, all that he has stolen from me.