estate;—that, my dear brother, would be

just the thing to fit us. Indeed I have even made up my mind how we should dispose of the money; I would sell to you, for seven thousand pounds, my spouse's half of the estate, so that you would be a landed gentleman of five hundred a year, with three thousand more to get you on in the army, which, being now time of peace, is as good a way of laying out your money as any other. Besides, then I could afford to pay you your portion, which, now as I have been making purchases and improvements, would derange my plans. I think there is no time to be lost; for there will be other chaps in the market; and it being indifferent to me which I shall marry, you may have your choice." —The major was totally unmoved by the proffered pieces of manufactory, but informed his brother, that respecting his