I was wondering if anyone could help me with a simple problem:

I plan to create several asp.net server controls which use one xml file.

I have created a class (called Settings) which reads the xml file, exposes 
various elements as properties or arrays, and performs other common 
tasks.  The class is in the same namespace and assembly.

I have referenced the class in my server control, but when I set the 
XmlFile property at design time, it does not work.  Here is the simple 
code:

      public class xxx : System.Web.UI.WebControls.WebControl
      {
            private Settings mysettings = new Settings();
                        ?
            /// <summary>
            /// The xml configuration file
            /// </summary>
            [Bindable(true),
            Category("Data"),
            DefaultValue("AppSettings.xml"),
            Description("The xml file containing configuration settings")]
            public string XmlFile
            {
                  get { return mysettings.XmlFile; }
                  set 
                  {
                        //read in xml script and set properties
                        if ((value == string.Empty) || (value == null))
                              throw new ArgumentException("xxx requires an 
XML settings file.");
                        //map the path
                        mysettings.XmlFile = 
HttpContext.Current.Request.MapPath(value);
                  }
            }

When I drop the control at design time, not only is the XmlFile setting 
blank in the property window, but when I add an entry, I get this error:

Invalid property value

Object reference not set to an instance of an object.


Thanks for any ideas,

Andrew