ou possibly can, and get him to make another will, or else take the
best care of yourself as lies in your power; for, I assure you, if his
lordship dies, you are but poorly provided for."

These last words of the chaplain's most terribly alarmed me. I knew not
what to do; and, at last, as if I was to be guided by nothing but the
furies, I went to his chamber, and after inquiring how he did, and
hearing that he was far from well, I told him I had heard he had made
his will. "Yes," said he, "I have; and what then?" "Why, my lord,"
replied I, "I thought it would not have been derogatory to both our
honours for you to have mentioned it to me before you did it, and have
let me known in what manner you intended to settle your estate. This
would have been but acting like a man to his wife, even if you had
married me without a fortune; but as you received so handsomely with me,
you ought to have considered it as my substance, as well as your own,
that you were going to dispose of."

My lord looked somewhat staggered at what I had said, and pausing a
little while, answered, that he thought, and also looked upon it as a
granted opinion, that after a man married a woman, all that she was in
possession of was his, excepting he had made a prior writing or
settlement to her of any part or all she was then possessed of.
"Besides, my lady," added he, "I have married both your children, and
given them very noble fortunes, especially your son. I have also had
great losses in trade, both by sea and land, since you delivered your
fortune to me, and even at this time, notwithstanding the appearance we
make in the world, I am not worth a third of what I was when we came to
settle in Holland; and then, here is our own son shall be provided for
in a handsome manner by me; for I am thoroughly convinced there will be
but little care taken of him if I leave anything in your power for that
purpose: witness Thomas and Susanna."

"My lord," said I, "I am not come into your chamber to know what care
you have taken of our child. I do not doubt but you have acted like a
father by it. What I would be informed in is, what I am to depend upon
in case of your decease; which I, however, hope may be a great many
years off yet." "You need not concern yourself about that," said he;
"your son will take care that you shall not want; but yet, I will tell
you, too," said he, "that it may prevent your wishing for my death. I
have, in my will, left all I am posses