a large estate, it might naturally be supposed there would be fewer
impediments to their being taken care of, than either where a wife was
in the case, or a narrow fortune obliged the owner to preserve a greater
oeconomy in expences.

Being at last convinced within himself that he had now explained this
seeming riddle, he took no farther trouble about whose, or what these
children were, but resolved to take care of them during their infancy,
and afterwards to put them into such a way as he should find their
genius's rendered them most fit for, in order to provide for themselves.

On his leaving the county, he ordered his housekeeper to furnish every
thing needful for them as often as they wanted it, and to take care they
were well used by the women with whom he had placed them; and delivered
these commands not in a cursory or negligent manner, but in such terms
as terrified any failure of obedience in this point would highly incur
his displeasure.

Nothing material happening during their infancy, I shall pass over those
years in silence, only saying that as often as Dorilaus went down to his
estate (which was generally two or three times a year) he always sent
for them, and expressed a very great satisfaction in finding in their
looks the charge he had given concerning them so well executed: but when
they arrived at an age capable of entertaining him with their innocent
prattle, what before was charity, improved into affection; and he began
to regard them with a tenderness little inferior to paternal; but which
still increased with their increase of years.

Having given them the first rudiments of education in the best schools
those parts afforded, he placed Louisa with a gentlewoman, who