."

"I trust, sir, that I never should speculate in marrying; but, had I
acted on that plan, this would prove the best speculation of the two.
Miss Revel has a very large fortune."

"So much the worse: a man should never be indebted to his wife for his
money--they never forget it. I'd rather you had fallen in love with a
girl without a shilling."

"Well, sir, when I first fell in love she had not a six-pence."

"Humph!--well, nephew, that may be very true; but, as I said before,
follow your profession."

"Marriage will not prevent my so doing, uncle. Most captains of
Indiamen are married, men."

"More fools they! leaving their wives at home, to be flattered and
fooled by the Lord knows who. A wife, nephew--is a woman."

"I hope that mine will be one, sir," replied Newton,--laughing.

"Nephew, once for all, I don't approve of your marrying now--that's
understood. It's my wish that you follow your profession. I'll be
candid with you; I have left you the heir to most of my fortune; but--I
can alter my will. If you marry this girl I shall do so."

"Alter your will, brother?" said Nicholas, who had been attentive to the
conversation.--"Why, who have you to leave your money to, except to
Newton?"

"To hospitals--to pay off the national debt--to any thing. Perhaps I
may leave it all to that little girl, who already has come in for a
slice."

"But, brother," replied Nicholas, "will that be just, to leave all your
money away from the family?"

"Just, yes, brother Nicholas, quite just. A man's will is his _will_.
If he makes it so as to satisfy the wishes or expectations of others, it
is no longer _his will_, but theirs. Nephew, as I said before, if you
marry against my consent, I shall alter my will."

"I am sorry, sir, very sorry, that you should be displeased with me; but
I am affianced to this lady, and no worldly consideration will induce me
not to fulfil an engagement upon which, indeed, my future happiness
depends. I have no claim upon you, sir; on the contrary, I have
incurred a large debt of gratitude, from your kind protection. Any
thing else you would require of me--"

"Humph! that's always the case; any thing else except what is requested.
Brother Nicholas, do me the favour to go up stairs; I wish to speak
with my nephew alone."

"Well, brother John, certainly, if you wish it--if you and Newton have
secrets;" and Nicholas rose from his chair.

"Surely, sir," observed Newton, not pleased