now what next to write. Is it
your desire to bequeath any real estate?" Sir Wycherly assented. "Do you
wish to bequeath _all_ your real estate?" The same sign of assent was
given. "Do you wish to bequeath _all_ to one person?" The sign of assent
was given to this also. "This makes plain sailing, and a short
run,--hey! Atwood?"

The secretary wrote as fast as possible, and in two or three minutes he
read aloud, as follows--

"'Secondly, I make and declare the following bequests or devises--that
is to say, I give and bequeath to ---- ---- of ------, all the real
estate of which I may die seised, together with all the houses,
tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances thereunto belonging, and all
my rights to the same, whether in law or equity, to be possessed and
enjoyed by the said ---- ---- of ------ in fee, by ---- heirs,
executors, administrators, or assigns, for ever.' There are blanks for
the name and description, as well as for the sex of the devisee," added
the secretary.

"All very proper and legal, I believe, Sir Reginald?--I am glad you
think so, sir. Now, Sir Wycherly, we wait for the name of the lucky
person you mean thus to favour."

"Sir Reginald Wychecombe," the sick man uttered, painfully;
"half-blood--no _nullus_. Sir Michael's heir--_my_ heir."

"This is plain English!" cried Sir Gervaise, in the way of a man who is
not displeased; "put in the name of 'Sir Reginald Wychecombe of
Wychecombe-Regis, Herts,' Atwood--ay--that justs fills the blank
handsomely--you want '_his_ heirs, executors, &c.' in the other blank."

"I beg your pardon, Sir Gervaise; it should read 'by _himself, his_
heirs, &c.'"

"Very true--very true, Atwood. Now read it slowly, and Sir Wycherly will
assent, if he approve."

This was done, and Sir Wycherly not only approved, but it was apparent
to all present, the abashed and confounded Tom himself not excepted,
that he approved, with a feeling akin to delight.

"That gives a black eye to all the land,--hey! Atwood?" said Sir
Gervaise; who, by this time, had entered into the business in hand, with
all the interest of a regular notary--or, rather, with that of one, on
whose shoulders rested the responsibility of success or failure. "We
come next to the personals. Do you wish to bequeath your furniture,
wines, horses, carriages, and other things of that sort, to any
particular person, Sir Wycherly?"

"All--Sir Reginald--Wychecombe--half-blood--old Sir Michael's heir,"
answer