They lost
their father about four years ago: and it is even edifying to observe,
how elegantly they support the family reputation in their fine old
mansion-house by the prudent management of their little income; for the
mother leaves every household care to them; and they make it a rule to
conclude the year with discharging every demand that can be made upon
them, and to commence the new year absolutely clear of the world, and
with some cash in hand; yet were brought up in affluence, and to the
expectation of handsome fortunes; for, besides that they could have no
thought of losing their cause, they had very great and reasonable
prospects from Mr. Calvert, an uncle by their mother's side; who was rich
in money, and had besides an estate in land of 1500L. a year. He always
declared, that, for the sake of his sister's children, he would continue
a single man; and kept his word till he was upwards of seventy; when,
being very infirm in health, and defective even to dotage in his
understanding, Bolton, his steward, who had always stood in the way of
his inclination to have his eldest niece for his companion and manager,
at last contrived to get him married to a young creature under twenty,
one of the servants in the house; who brought him a child in seven
months; and was with child again at the old man's death, which happened
in eighteen months after his marriage: and then a will was provided, in
which he gave all he had to his wife and her children born, and to be
born, within a year after his demise.
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