Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/9

 with me a second time. When we entered his chamber we advanced to the bed-side, where we found him in the last agonies, supported by two of his grand-daughters: I know not whether he saw my uncle, who approached him, saying, Here’s poor Rory come to see you before you die, and receive your blessing: but the dying man turned his sunk eyes towards us, without being able to make a reply; which my uncle perceiving, thought proper to retire into another room, where we were soon convinced of my grandfather’s decease, by the cries of the young ladies in his apartment; but my uncle, not satisfied, insisted on seeing the Will, and that, till such time, every desk and cabinet in the house should remain close sealed. They made him welcome to be witness of this ceremony, which was immediately performed to his satisfaction. But the reader can scarce conceive the astonishment that appeared, when the day came, and an attorney pronounced the young squire sole heir of his grandfather's estate, personal and real.—My uncle, who had listened with great attention, accompanied the words of the attorney with a stare, broke out in curses against the deceased, and departed. In our way to the village, my uncle desired me not to be cast down, telling me I should go to sea with him. Though this did not suit my inclination, I was afraid of discovering my avar-