Before they had been long at sea Mr.Middleton had a confidential conversation with Mrs.Monckton.He told her he had been very secret with her for her good.

"I saw," said he, "this Monckton had no deep regard for you, and was capable of turning you adrift in prosperity; and I knew that if I told you everything you would let it out to him, and tempt him to play the villain.

But the time is come that I must speak, in justice to you both.

That estate he left your son half in joke is virtually his.

Fourteen years ago, when he last looked into the matter, there _were_ eleven lives between it and him; but, strange to say, whilst he was at Portland the young lives went one after the other, and there were really only five left when he made that will.