Mr Hogarths Will | Page 5

by both being to a dead certainty picked
up by needy spendthrifts, who will waste their fortunes and break their
hearts, as their father, George Melville, served my poor foolish sister, I
hereby convey and dispone all my property, whatsoever and
wheresoever, heritable and moveable, to Francis Ormistown, otherwise
Hogarth, at present head clerk in the Bank of Scotland, who is my son
by a private irregular marriage contracted with Elizabeth Ormistown,
on the ninth day of July, 18--, and who is my heir-at-law, though he

would find it difficult to prove his claim, as he knows nothing of the
relation between us, and as the only party besides myself cognizant of
the marriage dares not come forward to prove it, but whose progress I
have watched with interest, who has made an honourable position for
himself, without any assistance from me beyond a good education, who
has served faithfully, and who is likely to rule uprightly, who has raised
himself from nameless poverty, and whom, therefore, I judge to be
worthy of wealth and honour: Provided always, that he shall pay to
Jane and Alice Melville, my beloved nieces aforesaid, the sum of
twelve pounds a year each, in quarterly payments in advance, for three
years following my decease, when such payments shall cease, as by
that time I believe they will be independent in circumstances: Provided
also that he shall give to the said Jane and Alice Melville, the furniture
and personal effects belonging to them, as mentioned more particularly
in the schedule marked A, appended to this instrument; and that he
shall give to the said Jane and Alice Melville no further assistance
either in money or in money's worth, directly or indirectly, whatsoever:
Also providing that the said Francis Ormistown, otherwise Hogarth,
shall not marry either of his cousins; the marriage of such near relations
being mischievous and improper.
"In case of any of these provisions being disregarded by the said
Francis Ormistown, otherwise Hogarth, all my heritable and moveable
property shall be divided among certain benevolent institutions, in the
order and manner set forth in the schedule marked with the letter B.
"All these provisions I have made, as being the best for my surviving
relatives; and I believe they will eventually acknowledge them to be
such."
It would be hard to say which of the three parties interested, felt most
astonishment at this extraordinary will. Jane Melville stood rigid and
silent, with her face flushed and her eyes filled with tears, which she
would not let fall. Alice's face lost all colour, and she seemed ready to
faint. But the greatest excitement was shown by the fortunate legatee.
He shook from head to foot, steadying himself on the table--looked
from the two girls to the two gentlemen with bewildered eyes--and said

at last with difficulty, in a low, soft, tremulous voice----
"Was Mr. Hogarth in his senses when he made this will?"
"A little excited, but indisputably in full possession of his senses,
strange as the will appears," said Mr. MacFarlane, the lawyer; "and Mr.
Baird will corroborate my opinion."
Mr. Baird bowed his head affirmatively. "Quite true--his head was
quite clear at the time. The will was made six weeks ago, and you, Miss
Melville, know how well he was then. Very grieved, indeed--most
inconceivable conduct--cruel--inconsiderate. I feel deeply for your
disappointment. Try not to give way, Miss Alice--or perhaps you had
better give way, it may relieve you. Mr. MacFarlane tells me that he
remonstrated with Mr. Hogarth. Most painful duty--must obey
instructions, of course. Your uncle seemed like adamant. I pity you
with all my heart."
"And so do I, with all my heart," said Mr. MacFarlane.
"And does no one pity me?" said the low voice of the heir to all; but it
was unheeded, for Alice had fainted. Her sister and Mr. Baird laid her
on the sofa, and applied the usual restoratives.
Mr. MacFarlane began to speak in an undertone, to the new master, of
the extent and value of the property he had thus suddenly come into
possession of, and congratulated him rather stiffly on the turn of
fortune that had raised him from a life of labour and comparative
poverty to ease and affluence; but his embarrassment was nothing
compared to that of the man whom he addressed. Francis Hogarth
looked round the spacious room, and out of the window to the pleasant
shrubbery and smooth-shaven lawn, and shuddered when he thought of
the two young cousins, brought up apparently in the lap of luxury, who
were to be turned out upon the world with 12 pounds a-year for three
years. The elder sister seemed to have a vigorous and robust
constitution, but the younger looked delicate. He saw, in his mind's eye,
two governesses, dragging out a