Page 558 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

Surely among all his army of black-coats our worthy Bish-
op must have some men like me, who cannot bring their
reason to believe in things contrary to the experience of
mankind and the laws of nature.
March 22nd.—This unromantic Captain Frere had had
some romantic incidents in his life, and he is fond of di-
lating upon them. It seems that in early life he expected to
have been left a large fortune by an uncle who had quar-
relled with his heir. But the uncle dies on the day fixed for
the altering of the will, the son disappears, and is thought
to be drowned. The widow, however, steadfastly refuses to
believe in any report of the young man’s death, and having
a life-interest in the property, holds it against all comers.
My poor host in consequence comes out here on his pay,
and, three years ago, just as he is hoping that the death of
his aunt may give him opportunity to enforce a claim as
next of kin to some portion of the property, the long-lost
son returns, is recognized by his mother and the trustees,
and installed in due heirship! The other romantic story is
connected with Frere’s marriage. He told me after dinner to-
night how his wife had been wrecked when a child, and how
he had saved her life, and defended her from the rude hands
of an escaped convict—one of the monsters our monstrous
system breeds. ‘That was how we fell in love,’ said he, toss-
ing off his wine complacently.
‘An auspicious opportunity,’ said I. To which he nodded.
He is not overburdened with brains, I fancy. Let me see if I
can set down some account of this lovely place and its peo-
ple.