While Barnaby Ling was alive, things were made a misery for him by his two sisters, Mrs Wilmer and Mrs Thomas, who were for ever poking and prying into his affairs. Knowing that he had made a will in their favour, their one aim was to prevent him marrying Ann Pearson, a marriage which in all probability would cut them out. To this end they succeeded. When the time comes for the will to be opened, however, it is discovered that the dead man has left another envelope, with the words upon it "To be destroyed unopened." Curiosity gets the better of the sisters, who seize the mystery packet and pry into its contents. Too late they discover their foolishness. It is another will, properly signed and witnessed, and made out after the first will. Barnaby Ling has left everything he possessed to Ann Pearson.