ofthecircumstaendingmyinfernalunionwithher.Oh,IamcertainJanewillagreewithmeinopinion,whensheknowsallthatIknow!Justputyourhandinmine,JahatImayhavetheevideouchaswellassight,toproveyouarenearme—andIwillinafewwordsshowyoutherealstateofthecase.youlistentome

    “Yes,sir;forhoursifyouwill.”

    “Iaskonlyminutes.Jane,didyoueverhearorknowatIwasnottheeldestsonofmyhouse:thatIhadonceabrotherolderthanI?”

    “IrememberMrs.Fairfaxtoldmesoonce.”

    “Anddidyoueverhearthatmyfatherwasanavaricious,graspingman?”

    “Ihaveuoodsomethingtothateffect.”

    “Well,Jane,beingso,itwashisresolutiohepropertytogether;hecouldheideaofdividinghisestateandleavingmeafairportion:all,heresolved,shouldgotomybrother,Rowlaaslittlecouldheeasonofhisshouldbeapoorman.Imustbeprovidedforbyawealthymarriage.Hesoughtmeapartimes.Mr.MasoIndiaplanterandmert,washisoldacquaintance.Hewascertainhispossessionswererealandvast:hemadeinquiries.Mr.Mason,hefound,hadasonanddaughter;andhelearnedfromhimthathecouldandwouldgivethelatterafortuhirtythousandpounds:thatsufficed.Whecollege,IwassentouttoJamaica,toespouseabridealreadycourtedforme.Myfathersaidnothingabouthermoney;buthetoldmeMissMasonwastheboastofSpanishTownforherbeauty:andthiswasnolie.Ifoundherafinewoman,iyleofBlangram:tall,dark,andmajestic.HerfamilywishedtosecuremebecauseIwasofagoodradsodidshe.Theyshowedhertomeinparties,splendidlydressed.Iseldomsawheralone,andhadverylittleprivateversationwithher.Sheflatteredme,andlavishlydisplayedformypleasurehercharmsandaplishm