CHAPTER XIV.
"Yet, all is o'er!--fear, doubt, suspense, are fled, Let brighter thoughts be with the virtuous dead! The final ordeal of the soul is past, And the pale brow is sealed to Heaven at last."
MRS. HEMANS.
It will be easily supposed that Tom Wychecombe witnessed the proceedingsrelated in the preceding chapter with dismay. The circumstance that heactually possessed a _bona fide_ will of his uncle, which left him heirof all the latter owned, real or personal, had made him audacious, andfirst induced him to take the bold stand of asserting his legitimacy,and of claiming all its consequences. He had fully determined to assumethe title on the demise of Sir Wycherly; plausibly enough supposingthat, as there was no heir to the baronetcy, the lands once in his quietpossession, no one would take sufficient interest in the matter todispute his right to the rank. Here, however, was a blow that menaceddeath to all his hopes. His illegitimacy seemed to be known to others,and there was every prospect of a new will's supplanting the old one, inits more important provisions, at least. He was at a loss to imaginewhat had made this sudden change in his uncle's intentions; for he didnot sufficiently understand himself, to perceive that the few months ofclose communion which had succeeded the death of his reputed father, hadsufficed to enlighten Sir Wycherly on the subject of his own truecharacter, and to awaken a disgust that had remained passive, untilsuddenly aroused by the necessity of acting; and, least of all, could heunderstand how surprisingly the moral vision of men is purified andenlarged, as respects both the past and the future, by the near approachof death. Although symptoms of strong dissatisfaction escaped him, hequieted his feelings as much as possible, cautiously waiting for anyoccurrence that might be used in setting aside the contemplatedinstrument, hereafter; or, what would be still better, to defeat itsexecution, now.
As soon as the necessary preparations were made, Atwood, his pen nibbed,ink at hand, and paper spread, was ready to proceed: and a breathlessstillness existing in the chamber, Sir Gervaise resumed the subject onwhich they were convened.
"Atwood will read to you what he has already written, Sir Wycherly," hesaid; "should the phraseology be agreeable to you, you will have thegoodness to make a sign to that effect. Well, if all is ready, you cannow commence--hey! Atwood?"
"'In the name of God, Amen,'" commenced the methodical secretary; "'I,Wycherly Wychecombe, Bart., of Wychecombe-Hall, in the county of Devon,being of sound mind, but of a feeble state of health, and having theview of death before my eyes, revoking all other wills, codicils, ortestamentary devises, whatsoever, do make and declare this instrument tobe my last will and testament: that is to say, Imprimis, I do herebyconstitute and appoint ---- ---- of ----, the executor of this my saidwill, with all the powers and authority that the law gives, or mayhereafter give to said executor. Secondly, I give and bequeath to ----.'This is all that is yet written, Sir Gervaise, blanks being left for thename or names of the executor or executors, as well for the 's' at theend of 'executor,' should the testator see fit to name more than one."
"There, Sir Reginald," said the vice-admiral, not altogether withoutexultation; "this is the way we prepare these things on board aman-of-war! A flag-officer's secretary needs have himself qualified todo any thing, short of a knowledge of administering to the cure ofsouls!"
"And the cure of bodies, ye'll be permitting me to add, Sir Gervaise,"observed Magrath, taking an enormous pinch of a strong yellow snuff.
"Our secretary would make but a lubberly fist at turning off a delicateturtle-soup out of pig's-head; such as we puts on our table at sea, sooften," muttered Galleygo in the ear of Mrs. Larder.
"I see nothing to object to, Sir Gervaise, if the language is agreeableto Sir Wycherly," answered the barrister by profession, though not bypractice. "It would be advisable to get his approbation of even thelanguage."
"That we intend to do, of course, sir. Sir Wycherly, do you find theterms of this will to your liking?"
Sir Wycherly smiled, and very clearly gave the sign of assent.
"I thought as much--for, Atwood has made the wills of two admirals, andof three captains, to my knowledge; and my Lord Chief Justice said thatone of the last would have done credit to the best conveyancer inEngland, and that it was a pity the testator had nothing to bequeath.Now, Sir Wycherly, will you have one executor, or more? If _one_, holdup a single finger; and a finger for each additional executor you wishus to insert in these blanks. One, Atwood--you perceive, gentlemen, thatSir Wycherly raises but _one_ finger; and so you can give a flourish atthe end of the 'r,' as the word will be in the singular;--hey! Atwood?"
The secretary did as directed, and then reported himself ready toproceed.
"It will be necessary for you now to _name_ your executor, SirWycherly--make as little effort as possible, as we shall understand thename, alone."
Sir Wycherly succeeded in uttering the name of "Sir ReginaldWychecombe," quite audibly.
"This is plain enough," resumed the vice-admiral; "how does the sentenceread now, Atwood?"
"'_Imprimis:_--I do hereby constitute and appoint Sir ReginaldWychecombe of Wychecombe-Regis, in the county of Herts, Baronet, theexecutor of this my said will, &c.'"
"If that clause is to your liking, Sir Wycherly, have the goodness togive the sign agreed on."
The sick man smiled, nodded his head, raised his hand, and lookedanxiously at his kinsman.
"I consent to serve, Sir Wycherly, if such is your desire," observed thenominee, who detected the meaning of his kinsman's look.
"And now, sir," continued the vice-admiral; "it is necessary to ask youa few questions, in order that Atwood may know what next to write. Is ityour desire to bequeath any real estate?" Sir Wycherly assented. "Do youwish to bequeath _all_ your real estate?" The same sign of assent wasgiven. "Do you wish to bequeath _all_ to one person?" The sign of assentwas given to this also. "This makes plain sailing, and a shortrun,--hey! Atwood?"
The secretary wrote as fast as possible, and in two or three minutes heread aloud, as follows--
"'Secondly, I make and declare the following bequests or devises--thatis to say, I give and bequeath to ---- ---- of ------, all the realestate of which I may die seised, together with all the houses,tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances thereunto belonging, and allmy rights to the same, whether in law or equity, to be possessed andenjoyed by the said ---- ---- of ------ in fee, by ---- heirs,executors, administrators, or assigns, for ever.' There are blanks forthe name and description, as well as for the sex of the devisee," addedthe secretary.
"All very proper and legal, I believe, Sir Reginald?--I am glad youthink so, sir. Now, Sir Wycherly, we wait for the name of the luckyperson 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 isnot displeased; "put in the name of 'Sir Reginald Wychecombe ofWychecombe-Regis, Herts,' Atwood--ay--that justs fills the blankhandsomely--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 willassent, if he approve."
This was done, and Sir Wycherly not only approved, but it was apparentto 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 SirGervaise; who, by this time, had entered into the business in hand, withall the interest of a regular notary--or, rather, with that of one, onwhose shoulders rested the responsibility of success or failure. "Wecome next to the personals. Do you wish to bequeath your furniture,wines, horses, carriages, and other things of that sort, to anyparticular person, Sir Wycherly?"
"All--Sir Reginald--Wychecombe--half-blood--old Sir Michael's heir,"answered the testator.
"Good--clap t
hat down, Atwood, for it is doing the thing, as I like tosee family affairs settled. As soon as you are ready, let us hear how itsounds in writing."
"I furthermore bequeath to the said Sir Reginald Wychecombe ofWychecombe-Regis, as aforesaid, baronet, all my personal property,whatsoever,'" read Atwood, as soon as ready; "'including furniture,wines, pictures, books, horses and carriages, and all other goods andchattels, of which I may die possessed, excepting thereout andtherefrom, nevertheless, such sums in money, stocks, bonds, notes, orother securities for debts, or such articles as I may in this instrumentespecially devise to any other person.' We can now go to especiallegacies, Sir Gervaise, and then another clause may make Sir Reginaldresiduary legatee, if such be Sir Wycherly's pleasure."
"If you approve of that clause, my dear sir, make the usual sign ofassent."
Sir Wycherly both raised his hand and nodded his head, evidently quitesatisfied.
"Now, my good sir, we come to the pounds--no--guineas? You like thatbetter--well, I confess that it sounds better on the ear, and is more inconformity with the habits of gentlemen. Will you now bequeath guineas?Good--first name the legatee--is that right, Sir Reginald?"
"Quite right, Sir Gervaise; and Sir Wycherly will understand that he nownames the first person to whom he wishes to bequeath any thing else."
"Milly," muttered the sick man.
"What? Mills!--the mills go with the lands, Sir Reginald?"
"He means Miss Mildred Dutton," eagerly interposed Wycherly, though withsufficient modesty.
"Yes--right--right," added the testator. "Little Milly--MillyDutton--good little Milly."
Sir Gervaise hesitated, and looked round at Bluewater, as much as to say"this is bringing coals to Newcastle;" but Atwood took the idea, andwrote the bequest, in the usual form.
"'I give and bequeath to Mildred Dutton,'" he read aloud, "'daughter ofFrancis Dutton of the Royal Navy, the sum of ----' what sum shall I fillthe blank with, Sir Wycherly?"
"Three--three--yes, three."
"Hundreds or thousands, my good sir?" asked Sir Gervaise, a littlesurprised at the amount of the bequest.
"Guineas--three--thousand--guineas--five per cents."
"That's as plain as logarithms. Give the young lady three thousandguineas in the fives, Atwood."
"'I give and bequeath to Mildred Dutton, daughter of Francis Dutton ofthe Royal Navy, the sum of three thousand guineas in the five per cent.stocks of this kingdom.' Will that do, Sir Wycherly?"
The old man looked at Mildred and smiled benevolently; for, at thatmoment, he felt he was placing the pure and lovely girl above theordinary contingencies of her situation, by rendering her independent.
"Whose name shall we next insert, Sir Wycherly?" resumed thevice-admiral. "There must be many more of these guineas left."
"Gregory--and--James--children of my brother Thomas--BaronWychecombe--five thousand guineas each," added the testator, making agreat effort to express his meaning as clearly as possible.
He was understood; and, after a short consultation with thevice-admiral, Atwood wrote out the devise at length.
"'I give and bequeath to my nephews, Gregory and James Wychecombe, thereputed sons of my late brother, Thomas Wychecombe, one of the Barons ofHis Majesty's Exchequer, the sum of five thousand guineas, each, in thefive per cent. funded debt of this kingdom.'"
"Do you approve of the devise, Sir Wycherly? if so, make the usual signof assent?"
Sir Wycherly complied, as in all the previous cases of his approval.
"Whose name shall we next insert, in readiness for a legacy, SirWycherly?" asked the admiral.
Here was a long pause, the baronet evidently turning over in his mind,what he had done, and what yet remained to do.
"Spread yourselves, my friends, in such a way as to permit the testatorto see you all," continued the vice-admiral, motioning with his hand towiden the circle around the bed, which had been contracted a little bycuriosity and interest; "stand more this way, _Lieutenant WycherlyWychecombe_, that the ladies may see and be seen; and you, too, Mr.Thomas Wychecombe, come further in front, where your uncle will observeyou."
This speech pretty exactly reflected the workings of the speaker's mind.The idea that Wycherly was a natural child of the baronet's,notwithstanding the Virginian story, was uppermost in his thoughts; and,taking the supposed fact in connection with the young man's merit, heearnestly desired to obtain a legacy for him. As for Tom, he caredlittle whether his name appeared in the will or not. Justice was nowsubstantially done, and the judge's property being sufficient for hiswants, the present situation of the lately reputed heir excited butlittle sympathy. Nevertheless, Sir Gervaise thought it would begenerous, under the circumstances, to remind the testator that such abeing as Tom Wychecombe existed.
"Here is your nephew, Mr. Thomas, Sir Wycherly," he said; "is it yourwish to let his name appear in your will?"
The sick man smiled coldly; but he moved his head, as much as to implyassent.
"'I give and bequeath to Thomas Wychecombe, the eldest reputed son of mylate brother, Thomas, one of the Barons of His Majesty's Exchequer,'"read Atwood, when the clause was duly written; "'the sum of ----, in thefive per cent. stocks of this kingdom.'"
"What sum will you have inserted, Sir Wycherly?" asked the vice-admiral.
"Fifty--fifty--_pounds_" said the testator, in a voice clearer andfuller than he had before used that day.
The necessary words were immediately inserted; the clause, as completed,was read again, and the approval was confirmed by a distinctlypronounced "yes." Tom started, but, as all the others maintained theirself-command, the business of the moment did not the less proceed.
"Do you wish any more names introduced into your will, Sir Wycherly?"asked the vice-admiral. "You have bequeathed but--a-a-a--how much--hey!Atwood?--ay, ten and three are thirteen, and fifty _pounds_, makeL13,180; and I hear you have L20,000 funded, besides loose cash, beyonda doubt."
"Ann Larder--Samuel Cork--Richard Bitts--David Brush--Phoebe Keys," saidSir Wycherly, slowly, giving time after each pause, for Atwood to write;naming his cook, butler, groom, valet or body-servant, and housekeeper,in the order they have been laid before the reader.
"How much to each, Sir Wycherly?--I see Atwood has made short work, andput them all in the same clause--that will never do, unless the legaciesare the same."
"Good--good--right," muttered the testator;"L200--each--L1000--all--money--money."
This settled the point, and the clause was regularly written, read, andapproved.
"This raises the money bequests to L14,180, Sir Wycherly--some 6 orL7000 more must remain to be disposed of. Stand a little further thisway, if you please, Mr. _Wycherly_ Wychecombe, and allow the ladies moreroom. Whose name shall we insert next, sir?"
Sir Wycherly, thus directed by the eager desire of the admiral to servethe gallant lieutenant, fastened his eyes on the young man, regardinghim quite a minute in silent attention.
"Virginian--same name--American--colonies--good lad--_brave_lad--L1000," muttered the sick man between his teeth; and, yet sobreathless was the quiet of the chamber, at that moment, every syllablewas heard by all present. "Yes--L1000--Wycherly Wychecombe--royalnavy--"
Atwood's pen was running rapidly over the paper, and had just reachedthe name of the contemplated legatee, when his hand was arrested by thevoice of the young man himself.
"Stop, Mr. Atwood--do not insert any clause in my favour!" criedWycherly, his face the colour of crimson, and his chest heaving with theemotions he felt it so difficult to repress. "I decline the legacy--itwill be useless to write it, as I will not receive a shilling."
"Young sir," said Sir Gervaise, with a little of the severity of asuperior, when he rebukes an interior, in his manner; "you speakhastily. It is not the office of an auditor or of a spectator, to repelthe kindness of a man about to pass from the face of the earth, into themore immediate presence of his God!"
"I have every sentiment of respect for Sir Wycherly Wychecombe,si
r;--every friendly wish for his speedy recovery, and a long evening tohis life; but, I will accept of the money of no man who holds my countryin such obvious distaste, as, it is apparent, the testator holds mine."
"You are an Englishman, I believe, _Lieutenant_ Wychecombe; and aservant of King George II.?"
"I am _not_ an Englishman, Sir Gervaise Oakes--but an American; aVirginian, entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Britishsubject. I am no more an Englishman, than Dr. Magrath may lay claim tothe same character."
"This is putting the case strongly,--hey! Atwood?" answered thevice-admiral, smiling in spite of the occasion. "I am far from sayingthat you are an Englishman, in all senses, sir; but you are one in thesense that gives you national character and national rights. You are a_subject_ of _England_."
"No, Sir Gervaise; your pardon. I am the subject of George II., but inno manner a subject of _England_. I am, in one sense, perhaps, a subjectof the British empire; but I am not the less a Virginian, and anAmerican. Not a shilling of any man's money will I ever touch, whoexpresses his contempt for either."
"You forget yourself, young man, and overlook the future. The hundred ortwo of prize-money, bought at the expense of your blood, in the lateaffair at Groix, will not last for ever."
"It is gone, already, sir, every shilling of it having been sent to thewidow of the boatswain who was killed at my side. I am no beggar, SirGervaise Oakes, though only an American. I am the owner of a plantation,which affords me a respectable independence, already; and I do not servefrom necessity, but from choice. Perhaps, if Sir Wycherly knew this, hewould consent to omit my name. I honour and respect him; would gladlyrelieve his distress, either of body or mind; but I cannot consent toaccept his money when offered on terms I consider humiliating."
This was said modestly, but with a warmth and sincerity which left nodoubt that the speaker was in earnest. Sir Gervaise too much respectedthe feelings of the young man to urge the matter any further, and heturned towards the bed, in expectation of what the sick man might nextsay. Sir Wycherly heard and understood all that passed, and it did notfail to produce an impression, even in the state to which he wasreduced. Kind-hearted, and indisposed to injure even a fly, all thenatural feelings of the old man resumed their ascendency, and he wouldgladly have given every shilling of his funded property to be ablefreely to express his compunction at having ever uttered a syllable thatcould offend sensibilities so noble and generous. But this exceeded hispowers, and he was fain to do the best he could, in the painfulsituation in which he was placed.
"Noble fellow!" he stuttered out; "honour to name--come here--SirGervaise--bring here--"
"I believe it is the wish of Sir Wycherly, that you would draw near thebed, Mr. Wychecombe of _Virginia_," said the vice-admiral, pithily,though he extended a hand to, and smiled kindly on, the youth as thelatter passed him in compliance.
The sick man now succeeded, with a good deal of difficulty, in drawing avaluable signet-ring from a finger.--This ring bore the Wychecombe arms,engraved on it. It was without the bloody hand, however; for it was farolder than the order of baronets, having, as Wycherly well knew, beengiven by one of the Plantagenet Dukes to an ancestor of the family,during the French wars of Henry VI., and that, too, in commemoration ofsome signal act of gallantry in the field.
"Wear this--noble fellow--honour to name," said Sir Wycherly. "_Must_ bedescended--all Wychecombes descended--him--"
"I thank you, Sir Wycherly, for this present, which I prize as it oughtto be prized," said Wycherly, every trace of any other feeling than thatof gratitude having vanished from his countenance. "I may have no claimsto your honours or money; but this ring I need not be ashamed to wear,since it was bestowed on one who was as much _my_ ancestor, as he wasthe ancestor of any Wychecombe in England."
"Legitimate?" cried Tom, a fierce feeling of resentment upsetting hiscaution and cunning.
"Yes, sir, _legitimate_," answered Wycherly, turning to hisinterrogator, with the calmness of one conscious of his own truth, andwith a glance of the eye that caused Tom to shrink back again into thecircle. "I need no _bar_, to enable me to use this seal, which, you mayperceive, Sir Gervaise Oakes, is a _fac simile_ of the one I ordinarilywear, and which was transmitted to me from my direct ancestors."
The vice-admiral compared the seal on Wycherly's watch-chain with thaton the ring, and, the bearings being principally griffins, he wasenabled to see that one was the exact counterpart of the other. SirReginald advanced a step, and when the admiral had satisfied himself, healso took the two seals and compared them. As all the known branches ofthe Wychecombes of Wychecombe, bore the same arms, viz., griffins forWychecombe, with three battering-rams quartered, for Wycherly,--he saw,at once, that the young man habitually carried about his person, thisproof of a common origin. Sir Reginald knew very well that arms wereoften assumed, as well as names, and the greater the obscurity of theindividual who took these liberties, the greater was his impunity; butthe seal was a very ancient one, and innovations on personal rights werefar less frequent a century since, than they are to-day. Then thecharacter and appearance of Wycherly put fraud out of the question, sofar as the young lieutenant himself was concerned. Although the elderbranch of the family, legitimately speaking, was reduced to the helplessold man who was now stretched upon his death-bed, his own had beenextensive; and it well might be that some cadet of the Wychecombes ofWychecombe-Regis, had strayed into the colonies and left descendants.Secretly resolving to look more closely into these facts, he gravelyreturned the seals, and intimated to Sir Gervaise that the moreimportant business before them had better proceed. On this hint, Atwoodresumed the pen, and the vice-admiral his duties.
"There want yet some 6 or L7000 to make up L20,000, Sir Wycherly, whichI understand is the sum you have in the funds. Whose name or names willyou have next inserted?"
"Rotherham--vicar--poor St. James--gone; yes--Mr.--Rotherham--vicar."
The clause was written, the sum of L1000 was inserted, and the whole wasread and approved.
"This still leaves us some L5000 more to deal with, my dear sir?"
A long pause succeeded, during which time Sir Wycherly was deliberatingwhat to do with the rest of his ready money. At length his wandering eyerested on the pale features of Mrs. Dutton; and, while he had a sort ofliking, that proceeded from habit, for her husband, he remembered thatshe had many causes for sorrow. With a feeling that was creditable tohis own heart, he uttered her name, and the sum of L2000. The clause waswritten, accordingly, read and approved.
"We have still L3000 certainly, if not L4000," added Sir Gervaise.
"Milly--dear little--Milly--pretty Milly," stammered out the baronet,affectionately.
"This must go into a codicil, Sir Gervaise," interrupted Atwood; "therebeing already one legacy in the young lady's favour. Shall it be one,two, three, or four thousand pounds, Sir Wycherly, in favour of MissMildred, to whom you have already bequeathed L3000."
The sick man muttered the words "three thousand," after a short pause,adding "codicil."
His wishes were complied with, and the whole was read and approved.After this, Sir Gervaise inquired if the testator wished to make anymore devises. Sir Wycherly, who had in effect bequeathed, within a fewhundred pounds, all he had to bestow, bethought himself, for a fewmoments, of the state of his affairs, and then he signified hissatisfaction with what had been done.
"As it is possible, Sir Wycherly, that you may have overlookedsomething," said Sir Gervaise, "and it is better that nothing shouldescheat to the crown, I will suggest the expediency of your making someone residuary legatee."
The poor old man smiled an assent, and then he succeeded in mutteringthe name of "Sir Reginald Wychecombe."
This clause, like all the others, was written, read, and approved. Thewill was now completed, and preparations were made to read it carefullyover to the intended testator. In order that this might be done withsufficient care for future objections, the two admirals and Atwood, whowere selected for the witn
esses, each read the testament himself, inorder to say that nothing was laid before the testator but that whichwas fairly contained in the instrument, and that nothing was omitted.When all was ready, the will was audibly and slowly read to SirWycherly, by the secretary, from the beginning to the end. The old manlistened with great attention; smiled when Mildred's name was mentioned;and clearly expressed, by signs and words, his entire satisfaction whenall was ended. It remained only to place a pen in his hand, and to givehim such assistance as would enable him to affix his name twice; once tothe body of the instrument; and, when this was duly witnessed, thenagain to the codicil. By this time, Tom Wychecombe thought that themoment for interposing had arrived. He had been on thorns during thewhole proceeding, forming desperate resolutions to sustain the boldfraud of his legitimacy, and thus take all the lands and heirlooms ofthe estate, under the entail; still he well knew that a subordinate butimportant question might arise, as between the validity of the twowills, in connection with Sir Wycherly's competency to make the last. Itwas material, therefore, in his view of the case, to enter a protest.
"Gentlemen," he said, advancing to the foot of the bed; "I call on youall to observe the nature of this whole transaction. My poor, beloved,but misled uncle, no longer ago than last night, was struck with a fitof apoplexy, or something so very near it as to disqualify him to judgein these matters; and here he is urged to make a will--"
"By whom, sir?" demanded Sir Gervaise, with a severity of tone thatinduced the speaker to fall back a step.
"Why, sir, in my judgment, by all in the room. If not with theirtongues, at least with their eyes."
"And why should all in the room do this? Am I a legatee?--is AdmiralBluewater to be a gainer by this will?--_can_ witnesses to a will belegatees?"
"I do not wish to dispute the matter with you, Sir Gervaise Oakes; but Isolemnly protest against this irregular and most extraordinary manner ofmaking a will. Let all who hear me, remember this, and be ready totestify to it when called on in a court of justice."
Here Sir Wycherly struggled to rise in the bed, in evident excitement,gesticulating strongly to express his disgust, and his wish for hisnephew to withdraw. But the physicians endeavoured to pacify him, whileAtwood, with the paper spread on a port-folio, and a pen in readiness,coolly proceeded to obtain the necessary signatures. Sir Wycherly's handtrembled so much when it received the pen, that, for the moment, writingwas out of the question, and it became necessary to administer arestorative in order to strengthen his nerves.
"Away--out of sight," muttered the excited baronet, leaving no doubt onall present, that the uppermost feeling of the moment was the strongdesire to rid himself of the presence of the offensive object. "SirReginald--little Milly--poor servants--brothers--all the rest, stay."
"Just be calming the mind, Sir Wycherly Wychecombe," put in Magrath,"and ye'll be solacing the body by the same effort. When the mind is ina state of exaltation, the nervous system is apt to feel the influenceof sympathy. By bringing the two in harmonious co-operation, thetestamentary devises will have none the less of validity, either inreality or in appearances."
Sir Wycherly understood the surgeon, and he struggled for self-command.He raised the pen, and succeeded in getting its point on the properplace. Then his dim eye lighted, and shot a reproachful glance at Tom;he smiled in a ghastly manner, looked towards the paper, passed a handacross his brow, closed his eyes, and fell back on the pillow, utterlyunconscious of all that belonged to life, its interests, its duties, orits feelings. In ten minutes, he ceased to breathe.
Thus died Sir Wycherly Wychecombe, after a long life, in which generalqualities of a very negative nature, had been somewhat relieved, bykindness of feeling, a passive if not an active benevolence, and such adischarge of his responsible duties as is apt to flow from an absence ofany qualities that are positively bad; as well as of many of materialaccount, that are affirmatively good.