atulate all of the name in being so worthily
represented. For one of that family I cheerfully recognise you as its
head and chief."

Wycherly bowed his acknowledgments, receiving also the compliments of
most of the others present. Tom Wychecombe, however, formed an
exception, and instead of manifesting any disposition to submit to this
summary disposal of his claims, he was brooding over the means of
maintaining them. Detecting by the countenances of the upper servants
that they were effectually bribed by his promise to pay the late
baronet's legacies, he felt tolerably confident of support from that
quarter. He well knew that possession was nine points of the law, and
his thoughts naturally turned towards the means necessary to securing
this great advantage. As yet, the two claimants were on a par, in this
respect; for while the executed will might seem to give him a superior
claim, no authority that was derived from an insufficient source would
be deemed available in law; and Sir Wycherly had clearly no right to
devise Wychecombe, so long as there existed an heir of entail. Both
parties, too, were merely guests in the house; so that neither had any
possession that would require a legal process to eject him. Tom had been
entered at the Temple, and had some knowledge of the law of the land;
more especially as related to real estate; and he was aware that there
existed some quaint ceremony of taking possession, as it existed under
the feudal system; but he was ignorant of the precise forms, and had
some reasonable doubts how far they would benefit him, under the
peculiar circumstances of this case. On the whole, therefore, he was
disposed to try the effect of intimidation, by means of the advantages
he clearly possessed, and of such little reason as the facts connected
with his claim, allowed him to offer.

"Sir Reginald Wychecombe," he said gravely, and with as much
indifference as he could assume; "you have betrayed a facility of belief
in this American history, that has surprised me in one with so high a
reputation for prudence and caution. This sudden revival of the dead may
answer for the credulous lovers of marvels, but it would hardly do for a
jury of twelve sober-minded and sworn men. Admitting the whole of this
gentleman's statement to be true, however, you will not deny the late
Sir Wycherly's right to make a will, if he only devised his old shoes;
and, having this right, that of naming his executor necessaril