particulars,
on two sheets of paper, and afterwards engrossed and witnessed: and to
this Mr. Gaunt assented, and immediately drew his will according to
newspaper precedent.

* * * * *

"But when I came to examine his masterpiece, I found he had taken
advantage of my pliability to attach an unreasonable condition, to wit:
that the said Catharine should forfeit all interest under this will, in
case she should ever marry a certain party therein nominated, specified,
and described."

("Now that was Griffith all over," cried Catharine, merrily.)

* * * * *

"I objected stoutly to this. I took leave to remind the young
gentleman, that, when a Christian man makes his last will and testament,
he should think of the grave and of the place beyond, whither we may
carry our affections, but must leave the bundle of our hates behind, the
gate being narrow. I even went so far as to doubt whether such a proviso
could stand in _law_; and I also put a practical query: what was to
hinder the legatee from selling the property and diverting the funds,
and then marrying whom she liked?

* * * * *

"Mr. Gaunt was deaf to reason. He bade me remember that he was neither
saint nor apostle, but a poor gentleman of Cumberland, who saw a
stranger come between him and his lover dear: with that he was much
moved, and did not conclude his argument at all, but broke off, and was
fain to hide his face with both hands awhile. In truth, this touched me;
and I looked another way, and began to ask myself, why should I
interfere, who, after all, know not your heart in the matter; and, to be
brief, I withstood him and Parson's law no more, but sent his draught
will to the clerks, the which they copied fair in a trice, and the
duplicates were signed and witnessed in red-hot haste,--as most of men's
follies are done, for that matter.

* * * * *

"The paper writing now produced and shown to me--tush! what am I
saying?--I mean, the paper writing I now produce and show to you is the
draught of the will aforesaid, in the hand-writing of the testator."

* * * * *

And with this he handed Kate Peyton Griffith Gaunt's will, and took a
long and satirical pinch of snuff while she examined it.

Miss Peyton took the will in her white hands and read it. But, in
reading it, she held it up and turned it so