Mr Hogarths Will | Page 9

capable of--were made by
Mr. Dalzell in unconsciousness that they fell very differently on Jane's
ears now. Jane asked for his mother, and heard that she was very well,
and sent her kindest regards and condolences, and hoped that the
Misses Melville would be able to see her on the following day.
"Were there many people at the funeral?" asked Jane.
"Oh yes, a great man; Mr. Hogarth was so extensively known, and so
much respected."
"Were there any strangers?"
"Several--to me," said Dalzell.
"Did you observe no one in particular?"
"Yes, a gentleman from Edinburgh, said to be a PROTEGE of your
uncle's, who took rather a prominent place on account of there being no
male relative surviving."
"Have you heard," said Jane, with an effort--"have you heard anything
of the will?"
"Nothing whatever--did not think it proper or delicate to inquire,
though I saw Mr. MacFarlane after it had been read. It is a matter of no
consequence to me how Mr. Hogarth has left his property. My feelings
will be quite the same towards----"

"Stop," said Jane; "my uncle has left his entire fortune to this stranger
from Edinburgh, who is his son by a private marriage. Elsie and I have
had an education, and must make the best we can of it."
"Miss Melville, this is incredible--quite incredible. You are merely
trying me. Mr. Hogarth was incapable of such madness and injustice. It
is not treating me well to play upon me in this way."
"In proof of what I say, here is a certified copy of the will--the final
will--executed six weeks ago, when, as you know, my uncle was
perfectly well both in body and mind. It is incontestable."
The bewildered young man tried to read the paper put into his hand, but
he could not follow the written words. Jane's sad face and her manner
convinced him, however, that she was telling him the truth.
"Now," said Jane kindly, "you have talked a great deal of nonsense to
me when my position was very different; but I am quite aware that
things are altogether changed. I will not feel at all hurt or angry about it.
We part perfectly good friends. But you cannot afford to marry a wife
without money, and I should be sorry to be a burden to any man."
William Dalzell looked at the girl he had fancied himself in love with
for the last few months, and felt that his love had not been of a very
deep or absorbing character. If the two girls had been equal favourites
of their uncle's, his choice would have fallen on Elsie, who was prettier,
more elegant, more yielding, and, as he thought, more affectionate. Her
impulsive and confiding manner, her little enthusiasms, her blunders,
were to him more charming than Jane's steady good sense and calm
temper. Jane never wanted advice or assistance; she was too
independent in mind, and too robust in body, to care much about little
attentions, though she had become accustomed to his in the course of
time, and as there was no other person to compare him with, had
allowed herself to think a good deal of him. Mr. Hogarth had always
shown so marked a preference for Jane, and had so often expressed
displeasure and impatience at Elsie's deficiencies; his property, not
being entailed, was entirely at his own disposal, so that it was probable
that Jane would be left the larger share of it, while if he made love to

Alice it was quite possible that she would be disinherited altogether, for
he knew that he was not a favourite with the old gentleman. He did not
think that anything could shake Mr. Hogarth's confidence in Jane, and
he had been very careful in feeling his ground sure before he made a
formal proposal. He had tried to persuade himself that Jane's face was
charming, though not regularly handsome; so it was to some people,
but he had not eyes to see the charm. Her figure was undeniably fine,
her temper good, her principles to be depended on. Her education had
been peculiar, and singularly secular--his mother had felt a little
shocked at her want of religion--but then Mr. Hogarth was very odd,
and when she was married she would see things differently; and on the
whole Mrs. Dalzell felt that her handsome son had chosen with great
prudence and good sense in fixing his affections upon the elder and the
favorite niece. His small property was heavily encumbered, and such a
marriage would make him hold up his head again in the country. Mrs.
Dalzell's attentions to Jane had been nearly as assiduous as her son's,
and to the motherless girl they were quite as welcome; and she had
shown so much affection for