After eighty-four, death has a fearful hold upon us, sir! The worst of it is, that my poor, dear uncle's mind is sensibly affected; and it is quite impossible to get at any of his little wishes, in the way of memorials and messages--" "How then, sir, came Sir Wycherly to honour _me_ with a request to visit him ?" demanded the other, with an extremely awkward pertinency.
"I suppose, sir, he has succeeded in muttering your name, and that a natural construction has been put on its use, at such a moment.

His will has been made some time, I understand; though I am ignorant of even the name of the executor, as it is closed in an envelope, and sealed with Sir Wycherly's arms.

It cannot be, then, on account of a _will_, that he has wished to see you.

I rather think, as the next of the family, _out of the direct line of succession_, he may have ventured to name you as the executor of the will in existence, and has thought it proper to notify you of the same." "Yes, sir," returned Sir Reginald, in his usual cold, wary manner; "though it would have been more in conformity with usage, had the notification taken the form of a request to serve, previously to making the testament.

My letter was signed 'Gervaise Oakes,' and, as they tell me a fleet is in the neighbourhood, I have supposed that the celebrated admiral of that name, has done me the honour to write it." "You are not mistaken, sir; Sir Gervaise Oakes is in the house--ah--here he comes to receive you, accompanied by Rear-Admiral Bluewater, whom the sailors call his mainmast." The foregoing conversation had taken place in a little parlour that led off from the great hall, whither Tom had conducted his guest, and in which the two admirals now made their appearance.