When I am dead, and that will happen ere many weeks, the human being will not be living, who can take that property, after your demise, in any other manner than by escheat, or by devise.

There will then be neither heir of entail, nor heir at law; and you may make whom you please, master of Wychecombe, provided he be not an alien." "Not an American, I suppose, brother; an American is an alien, of course." "Humph!--why, not in law, whatever he may be according to our English notions.

Harkee, brother Wycherly; I've never asked you, or wished you to leave the estate to Tom, or his younger brothers; for one, and all, are _filii nullorum_--as I term 'em, though my brother Record will have it, it ought to be _filii nullius_, as well as _filius nullius_.

Let that be as it may; no bastard should lord it at Wychecombe; and rather than the king; should get the lands, to bestow on some favourite, I would give it to the half-blood." "Can that be done without making a will, brother Thomas ?" "It cannot, Sir Wycherly; nor with a will, so long as an heir of entail can be found." "Is there no way of making Tom a _filius somebody_, so that _he_ can succeed ?" "Not under our laws.

By the civil law, such a thing might have been done, and by the Scotch law; but not under the perfection of reason." "I wish you knew this young Virginian! The lad bears both of my names, Wycherly Wychecombe." "He is not a _filius Wycherly_--is he, baronet ?" "Fie upon thee, brother Thomas! Do you think I have less candour than thyself, that I would not acknowledge my own flesh and blood.