the fruit of mistake, or of negligence. She probably intended to
cancel the old one, but this act might, by her own weakness, or by
the artifices of her servant, be delayed till death had put it out
of her power. In either case a mandate from the dead could
scarcely fail of being obeyed.

I considered this woman as the usurper of my property. Her
husband as well as herself, were laborious and covetous; their good
fortune had made no change in their mode of living, but they were
as frugal and as eager to accumulate as ever. In their hands,
money was inert and sterile, or it served to foster their vices.
To take it from them would, therefore, be a benefit both to them
and to myself; not even an imaginary injury would be inflicted.
Restitution, if legally compelled to it, would be reluctant and
painful, but if enjoined by Heaven would be voluntary, and the
performance of a seeming duty would carry with it, its own reward.

These reasonings, aided by inclination, were sufficient to
determine me. I have no doubt but their fallacy would have been
detected in the sequel, and my scheme have been productive of
nothing but confusion and remorse. From these consequences,
however, my fate interposed, as in the former instance, to save me.

Having formed my resolution, many preliminaries to its
execution were necessary to be settled. These demanded
deliberation and delay; meanwhile I recollected my promise to
Ludlow, and paid him a visit. I met a frank and affectionate
reception. It would not be easy to paint the delight which I
experienced in this man's society. I was at first oppressed with
the sense of my own inferiority in age, knowledge and rank. Hence