My legacy to my niece shall only take effect on these terms--namely--that she shall be removed at certain stated periods from the Dissenting and Radical influences to which she is subjected under her father's roof, and shall be placed under the care of an English gentlewoman who unites to the advantages of birth and breeding the possession of high and honorable principles"-- etcetera, etcetera.

Can you conceive Reverend Finch's feelings, sitting, with his daughter by his side, among the company, while the will was read, and hearing this?
He got up, like a true Englishman, and made them a speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "I admit that I am a Liberal in politics, and that my wife's family are Dissenters.

As an example of the principles thus engendered in my household, I beg to inform you that my daughter accepts this legacy with my full permission, and that I forgive Mr.Batchford." With that, he walked out, with his daughter on his arm.

He had heard enough, please to observe, to satisfy him that Lucilla (while she lived unmarried) could do what she liked with her income.