“Beyond this, I should deprive the other contingent legatees of their share.” “Dr. ---- What is his name?” “Tom Lynch.” “Dr. Lynch; pray what possible claim can he have upon you, or upon your uncle’s estate? By the way, there are some letters from the trustees in the office. I did not deem them of importance enough to send to you; but in one of them Mr. Lester says this Dr. Lynch is a miserable reprobate, and has about run through the legacy your uncle left him.” “That is not my affair. I do not wish to deprive him of what my uncle was disposed to give him on a certain condition. Then, by the will, a million and a half is to go to three great charitable enterprises. If I could rob the individuals, I could not take from the poor of Baltimore this great boon.” “Your uncle did not leave them a single cent of what you mention. It was not his wish that these institutions should be founded; if it had been, he would have left the money unconditionally. It was his last and most earnest desire that the three millions should be inherited by your son, under the name of John Hungerford. This was his meaning; this was his wish, his hope; and you have no right to set aside his intentions. If you take any of his money, you are bound by every consideration of respect, affection, and gratitude, to carry out his design, even if you think it absurd to do so. What right have you to set yourself up as a judge of your uncle’s purposes? The three millions belonged to him, and he had the undoubted right to dispose of it as he pleased. If you decline to do what he wished you to do, you have no moral right to take any of his money.” “Perhaps you are right, Dick.” “I know I am. I am very clear that it is your duty to get married, and carry out the intentions of your uncle by doing so.” “I certainly shall not marry to obtain the three millions.” “You certainly should not avoid matrimony in order to defeat your uncle’s last wishes.” “I will not. Let things take their course just as though no three millions were pending.” “If you will only do that, I will be satisfied. Be yourself; that is all I ask of you. But tea is ready. Let me escort you to the dining-room.” Eugene joined his mother and sister at the table. He was more composed and reasonable than when he first entered the house; and he began, in some slight degree, to enjoy the comforts and luxuries of his new home. The charge which Dick had made against him, of conspiring against the peace and happiness of the other members of the family, had produced a deep impression upon his mind, and he labored to be cheerful. But the plan to mitigate the sorrows of poor Mary afforded him some comfort, and his cheerfulness was not all a pretence.