'It's old Maxwell's, I suppose.' 'It was his, sir; but he's dead now, you're aware, and has left it all to his niece.' 'All ?' 'Every rood of it, and the mansion-house and all! every hatom of his worldly goods, except just a trifle, by way of remembrance, to his nephew down in -- shire, and an annuity to his wife.' 'It's strange, sir!' 'It is, sir; and she wasn't his own niece neither.

But he had no near relations of his own--none but a nephew he'd quarrelled with; and he always had a partiality for this one.

And then his wife advised him to it, they say: she'd brought most of the property, and it was her wish that this lady should have it.' 'Humph! She'll be a fine catch for somebody.' 'She will so.

She's a widow, but quite young yet, and uncommon handsome: a fortune of her own, besides, and only one child, and she's nursing a fine estate for him in -- .

There'll be lots to speak for her! 'fraid there's no chance for uz'-- (facetiously jogging me with his elbow, as well as his companion)--'ha, ha, ha! No offence, sir, I hope ?'--( to me).
'Ahem! I should think she'll marry none but a nobleman myself.