"It is
necessarily brief, and merely enumerates the names of the mortgagees and
amounts owing. I was unfortunately the principal creditor, having been a
considerable loser from my wish to preserve the property inviolate. For
the credit of the family I paid off the remaining incumbrances, and the
estate has lapsed to me as the lawful possessor."
He placed the document in my hands. I read in it a very technical
tribute of testamentary gratitude to M---- S----, Esq., styled therein
"beloved brother;" and a slight mention of my name, but no bequest, save
that of recommending me to the kindness of my relative, in case it
should please Heaven to send me once more to my native shores. I was
aware he would be on the watch; guarding, therefore, against any
expression of my feelings, I eagerly perused the deed, and with a sigh,
which he would naturally attribute to any cause but the real one, I
returned it into his hands.
"I find," said he, "from your letter received on the 23d current, that
you are not making a long stay in this neighbourhood. It is better,
perhaps, that you should not. The old house is sadly out of repair.
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