Now I intend to leave that back to
his family; there are several sisters of his alive, and they are
not wealthy people; but I have saved money too; and it is my wish
to leave you this house and the residue of my fortune, after
arranging for some small legacies. The estate is not worth very
much--a great deal of it is wild downland. But you would have the
place, when I died, and about twelve hundred a year. It would be
understood that you should live here a certain amount--I don't
believe in non-resident landlords. But I do not mean to tie you
down to live here altogether. It is only my wish that you should do
something for your tenants and neighbours. If you stayed on at
Cambridge you could come here in vacations. But my hope would be
that you might marry. It is a house for a family. If you do not
care to live here, I would rather it were sold. While I live, I
hope you will be content to spend some time here, and make
acquaintance with our neighbours, by which I mean the village
people. I shall tell Cousin Frank my intentions, and that will
probably suffice to make it known. I have a very great love for the
place, and as far as I can see, you will be likely to have the
same.
"You need not feel overburdened with gratitude. You are my only
near relation; and indeed I may say that if I were to die before I
have signed my will, you would inherit all my fortune as next-of-
kin. So you will see that instead of enriching you, I am to a great
extent disinheriting you! Just tell me simply if you acquiesce.
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