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John Marchmont's legacy, by the author of 'Lady Audley's secret'. (1863)
John Marchmont's legacy by the author of 'Lady Audley's secret' - 1863 Author:Mary Elizabeth Braddon Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. ABOUT THE LINCOLNSHIRE PROPERTY. While Mary sat absorbed in such idle visions as these, Mr. Marchmont and his old pupil walked towards Waterlo... more »o Bridge together. " I'll go as far as the theatre with you, Marchmont," the boy said ; " it's my holidays now, you know, and I can do as I like. I am going to a private tutor in another month, and he's to prepare me for the army. I want you to tell me all about that Lincolnshire property, old boy. Is it anywhere near Swampington ?" " Yes ; within nine miles." " Goodness gracious me ! Lord bless my soul! what an extraordinary coincidence ! My uncle Hubert's Hector of Swampington—such a hole ! I go there sometimes to see him and my cousin Olivia. Isn't she a stunner, though ! Knows more Greek and Latin than I, and more mathematics than you. Could eat our heads off at any thing." John Marchmont did not seem very much impressed by the coincidence that appeared so extraordinary to Edward Arundel; but, in order to oblige his friend, he explained very patiently and lucidly how it was that only three lives stood between him and the possession of Marchmont Towers, and all lands and tenements appertaining thereto. " The estate's a very large one," he said finally; " but the idea of my ever getting it is, of course, too preposterous." " Good gracious me ! I don't see that at all," exclaimed Edward with extraordinary vivacity. " Let me see, old fellow; if I understand your story right, this is how the case stands : your first cousin is the present possessor of Marchmont Towers; he has a son, fifteen years of age, who may or may not marry ; only one son, remember. But he has also an uncle—a bachelor uncle, and your uncle, too—who, by the terms of your grandfather's will, must get the property before you can succeed t...« less