ondition of inheriting
property, or of receiving yearly incomes, are always mischievous," said
Sinclair; "they are contrary to public morals."

"Henry Hogarth," said Mr. MacFarlane, "who was a clever man, and in
some respects a wise man, did the foolishest things in important
matters that ever I heard of. First, his marriage with that girl. I saw
her once at the house he lodged in; and a glaikit lassie I thought her.
Next, the education of his nieces, which was absolutely nonsensical;
and then putting such a clause into his will, as if he meant that you
should take a fancy to each other--for prohibitions of that kind just
put mischief into young folks' heads."

"Then do you see the absence of family likeness that Elsie relies so
much upon? You knew Elizabeth Ormistown when she was young--she saw her
an old woman."

"I am no hand at likenesses," said MacFarlane, "and did not pay much
attention to the girl; but I think both she and Henry were fair and
low-featured, and you are dark and high-featured. But that is of no use
either, as you know."

"Then, by a rigid interpretation of the will, you think the societies
would be able to dispossess me, if I married Jane, and could not prove
this story of Mrs. Peck's to be true."

"I think I know it pretty well by heart, but we had better turn to it,"
said Mr. MacFarlane, and he looked out the document he had himself
drawn out, and read it aloud to Francis and Mr. Sinclair.

"Now you see that the great purpose and bent of Mr. Hogarth's will was
to impoverish his nieces, to force them to act and work for themselves.
Not merely marriage, but any other way of assisting them was forbidden.
He certainly meant to enrich you, because he thought you deserved it,
but in case of your not co-operating with him in his principal object,
the property was to go away from you altogether. The Misses Melville
have made their way in the world remarkably well--much better than I
could have thought possible. I think he acted both cruelly and unjustly
to them, but as they have so well conquered their difficulties, the
matter had better be left as it is."

"Then," said Francis, "you think that even if I had satisfactory proof
from my real mother to corroborate Elizabeth Ormistown's confession,
and could make it incontestably plain that I am not related to Miss
Melville, so that I do not, in marrying her, marry my cousin, it would
be considered in law as invalidating my right to the property--tha