cooked meal, because I have never ceased to fear that those who wished
to get my money would try to poison me in order to get it sooner. This
fear I know no longer. I know well that my time expires next year; but
of this one year of life I am assured, and I am resolved to make the
best of it. I want to eat nice roasts, good cakes, and other delicate
dishes, and I want to drink wine. I have not tasted wine since 1809,
when I was studying law and attached as juratus to the Personal. For
many years I did not seem to care about it; but now I long for it, and I
remember how delicious it used to taste."

"But, my dear uncle, this would not be wise. Such a change would
absolutely kill you."

"Tut! tut! Never fear! I am sure of the one year, and am not going to
bargain with Death for more. Give me the one year, and let me enjoy it
according to my wishes--that is all I ask for. But for a safeguard
against extravagances, should not I have a skilled and renowned
physician living with me and looking after me daily? Don't you see that
your professional attendance will prevent all evil results, so that I
shall be perfectly safe? I could not have lighted upon a better plan
than making you my heir, and letting you live with me. Of course, I
could have taken a housekeeper; but I know womankind. In less than half
a year she would have persuaded me to marry her and settle all my
belongings on her, and this would not do for a Dumany. But if you come
to live with me, everything will be different. I'll let you have the
whole mansion, and keep nothing but my old room, of which I am fond,
because I am used to it and to the old, dingy, broken furniture that's
in it. You should marry, and bring your pretty little wife into the
house, and she would sing to me and play the piano or the organ, and
would keep pretty little chambermaids that I could pat on the cheeks,