“Alter your will, brother?” said Nicholas, who had been attentive to the conversation.  “Why, who have you to leave your money to, except to Newton?”

“To hospitals—­to pay off the national debt—­to anything.  Perhaps I may leave it all to that little girl, who already has come in for a slice.”

“But, brother,” replied Nicholas, “will that be just, to leave all your money away from your family?”

“Just! yes, brother Nicholas, quite just.  A man’s will is his will.  If he makes it so as to satisfy the wishes or expectations of others, it is no longer his will, but theirs.  Nephew, as I said before, if you marry against my consent, I shall alter my will.”

“I am sorry, sir, very sorry, that you should be displeased with me; but I am affianced to this lady, and no worldly consideration will induce me not to fulfil an engagement upon which, indeed, my future happiness depends.  I have no claim upon you, sir; on the contrary, I have incurred a large debt of gratitude, from your kind protection.  Anything else you would require of me—­”

“Humph! that’s always the case; anything else except what is requested.  Brother Nicholas, do me the favour to go upstairs; I wish to speak with my nephew alone.”

“Well, brother John, certainly, if you wish it—­if you and Newton have secrets;” and Nicholas rose from his chair.

“Surely, sir,” observed Newton, not pleased at the abrupt dismissal of his father, “we can have no secrets to which my father may not be a party.”

“Yes, but I have, nephew.  Your father is my brother, and I take the liberty with my brother, if you like that better—­not with your father.”

In the meantime Nicholas had stalked out of the room.

“Nephew,” continued Mr John Forster, as the door closed, “I have stated to you my wish that you should not marry this young woman; and I will now explain my reasons.  The girl left in my charge by my brother Edward has become the same to me as a daughter.  I intend that you shall make three or four voyages as captain of an Indiaman; then you shall marry her, and become the heir to my whole fortune.  Now you understand me.  May I ask what are your objections?”

“None, sir, but what I have already stated—­my attachment and engagement to another person.”

“Is that all?”

“Is it not enough?”

“It appears that this young woman has entered into an engagement on board ship, without consulting her friends.”

“She has no father, sir.  She is of age, and independent.”

“You have done the same.”

“I grant it, sir; but even were I inclined, could I, in honour or honesty, retract?”

“Humph!”

“Perhaps, sir, if you were acquainted with the young lady you might not be averse to the match.”

“Perhaps, if I saw with your eyes, I might not; but that is not likely to be the case.  Old men are a little blind and a little obstinate.  After toiling through life to amass a fortune, they wish to have their own way of disposing of it.  It is the only return they can receive for their labour.  However, nephew, you will act as you please.  As I said before, if you marry against my consent, I shall alter my will.  Now, empty the bottle, and we’ll go upstairs.”