"
"This," said Mrs. Lecount, quietly looking up from the Draft, "is to
protect Mr. George, sir, in case the same trap is set for him which was
successfully set for you. She will not find her false character and her
false name fit quite so easily next time--no, not even with Mr. Bygrave
to help her! Another dip of ink, Mr. Noel; let us write the next
paragraph. Are you ready?"
"Yes."
Mrs. Lecount went on.
"If your nephew fails to comply with these conditions--that is to say,
if being either a bachelor or a widower at the time of my decease, he
fails to marry in all respects as I have here instructed him to marry,
within Six calendar months from that time--it is my desire that he shall
not receive the legacy, or any part of it. I request you, in the case
here supposed, to pass him over altogether; and to give the fortune left
you in my will to his married sister, Mrs. Girdlestone.
"Having now put you in possession of my motives and intentions, I come
to the next question which it is necessary to consider. If, when
you open this letter, your nephew is an unmarried man, it is clearly
indispensable that he should know of the conditions here imposed on him,
as soon, if possible, as you know of them yourself.
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