Far as he dared, his Nephew this way led, And told his tales of lasses rashly wed, Told them as matters that “He heard, he knew Not where,” he said—“they might be false or true: One must confess that girls are apt to dote On the bright scarlet of a coxcomb’s coat; And that with ease a woman they beguile With a fool’s flattery, or a rascal’s smile;— But then,” he added, fearing to displease, 180 “Our Patty never saw such men as these.” “True! but she may—some scoundrel may command The girl’s whole store, if he can gain her hand. Her very goodness will itself deceive, And her weak virtue help her to believe; Yet she is kind; and, Nephew! go, and say, I need her now—You’ll come another day.” In such discourses, while the maiden went About her household, many an hour was spent, Till James was sure that when his Uncle died, 190} He should at least the property divide; } Nor long had he to wait—the fact was quickly tried. } The Uncle now, to his last bed confined, To James and Patty his affairs resign’d; The doctor took his final fee in hand; The man of law received his last command; The silent priest sat watching in his chair, If he might wake the dying man to prayer— When the last groan was heard; then all was still, And James indulged his musings—on the Will. 200 This in due time was read, and Patty saw Her own dear Cousin made the heir-by-law. Something indeed was hers, but yet she felt As if her Uncle had not kindly dealt; And but that James was one whom she could trust, She would have thought it cruel and unjust. Ev’n as it was, it gave her some surprise, And tears unbidden started in her eyes; Yet she confess’d it was the same to her, And it was likely men would men prefer. 210 Loth was the Niece to think her Uncle wrong; And other thoughts engaged her—“Is it long That custom bids us tarry ere we wed, When a kind Uncle is so lately dead? At any rate,” the maiden judged, “’tis he That first will speak—it does not rest with me.” James to the Will his every thought confined, And found some parts that vex’d his sober mind. He, getting much, to angry thoughts gave way, For the poor pittance that he had to pay, 220 With Patty’s larger claim. Save these alone, The weeping heir beheld the whole his own; Yet something painful in his mind would dwell— It was not likely, but was possible—” No—Fortune lately was to James so kind, He was determined not to think her blind: She saw his merit, and would never throw His prospects down by such malicious blow.” Patty, meanwhile, had quite enough betray’d Of her own mind to make her James afraid 230 Of one so simply pure: his hardening heart Inclined to anger—he resolved to part. Why marry Patty?—if he look’d around, More advantageous matches might be found; But, though he might a richer wife command,