Jane Talbot by Charles Brockden Brown
page 35 of 316 (11%)
page 35 of 316 (11%)
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At last I stammered out that my aunt had bequeathed me this money with
views as to the future disposition of it from which I did not think myself at liberty to swerve. "And pray," said he, with some heat, "what were these profound views?" "They were simple and obvious views. She knew my sex and education laid me under peculiar difficulties as to subsistence. As affairs then stood, there was little danger of my ever being reduced to want or dependence; but still there was a possibility of this. To insure me against this possible evil, she left me this sum, to be used only for subsistence, and when I should be deprived of all other means." "Go on," said my brother. "Repeat the clause in which she forbids you, if at any time the opportunity should be offered of doubling or trebling your money and thereby effectually securing that independence which she wished to bequeath to you, to profit by the offer. Pray, repeat that clause." "Indeed," said I, innocently, "there is no such clause." "I am glad to hear it. I was afraid that she was silly enough to insert some such prohibition. On the contrary, the scheme I propose to you will merely execute your aunt's great purpose. Instead of forbidding, she would have earnestly exhorted you, had she been a prophetess as well as a saint, to close with such an offer as I now make you, in which, I can assure you, I have your own good as well as my own in view." Observing my silent and perplexed air, "Why, Jane," said he, "surely |
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