"Do you wish to bequeath _all_ to one person ?" The sign of assent was given to this also.

"This makes plain sailing, and a short run,--hey! Atwood ?" The secretary wrote as fast as possible, and in two or three minutes he read aloud, as follows-- "'Secondly, I make and declare the following bequests or devises--that is to say, I give and bequeath to -- -- -- -- of ------, all the real estate of which I may die seised, together with all the houses, tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances thereunto belonging, and all my rights to the same, whether in law or equity, to be possessed and enjoyed by the said -- -- -- -- of ------ in fee, by -- -- heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, for ever.' There are blanks for the name and description, as well as for the sex of the devisee," added the secretary.
"All very proper and legal, I believe, Sir Reginald ?--I am glad you think so, sir.

Now, Sir Wycherly, we wait for the name of the lucky person you mean thus to favour." "Sir Reginald Wychecombe," the sick man uttered, painfully; "half-blood--no _nullus_.

Sir Michael's heir--_my_ heir." "This is plain English!" cried Sir Gervaise, in the way of a man who is not displeased; "put in the name of 'Sir Reginald Wychecombe of Wychecombe-Regis, Herts,' Atwood--ay--that justs fills the blank handsomely--you want '_his_ heirs, executors, &c.' in the other blank." "I beg your pardon, Sir Gervaise; it should read 'by _himself, his_ heirs, &c.'" "Very true--very true, Atwood.

Now read it slowly, and Sir Wycherly will assent, if he approve." This was done, and Sir Wycherly not only approved, but it was apparent to all present, the abashed and confounded Tom himself not excepted, that he approved, with a feeling akin to delight.
"That gives a black eye to all the land,--hey! Atwood ?" said Sir Gervaise; who, by this time, had entered into the business in hand, with all the interest of a regular notary--or, rather, with that of one, on whose shoulders rested the responsibility of success or failure.