comforter, assuring her that her distemper was not at all dangerous, and
that he would instantly send for a physician, who would convince
her that she was in no manner of jeopardy; so that there was
no occasion at present to employ any officious attorney in such a
melancholy task. Indeed, this affectionate brother was of opinion
that a will was altogether superfluous at any rate, as he himself
was heir-in-law to his sister's whole real and personal estate.
But she insisted on his compliance with such determined obstinacy,
that he could no longer resist her importunities; and, a arriving,
she dictated and executed her will, in which she bequeathed
to Commodore Trunnion one thousand pounds, to purchase a mourning
ring, which she hoped he would wear as a pledge of her friendship
and affection. Her brother, though he did not much relish this
testimony of her love, nevertheless that same evening gave an
account of this particular to Mr. Hatchway, who was also, as Mr.
Pickle assured him, generously remembered by the testatrix.

The lieutenant, fraught with this piece of intelligence, watched
for an opportunity; and as soon as he perceived the commodore's
features a little unbended from that ferocious contraction they
had retained so long, ventured to inform him that Pickle's sister
lay at the point of death, and that she had left him a thousand
pounds in her will. This piece of news overwhelmed him with confusion;
and Mr. Hatchway, imputing his silence to remorse, resolved to take
advantage of that favourable moment, and counselled him to go and
visit the poor young woman, who was dying for love of him. But his
admonition happened to be somewhat unseasonable. Trunnion no sooner
heard him mention the cause of her disorder, than his morosity
recurring, he burst out into a violent fit of cursing, and forthwith
betook himself again to his hammock, where he lay, uttering, in a