" Look here, I have only a copy, taken by my hand
from Sir George's own manuscript. Soldiers, you know,
do not employ lawyers much, and this was written on
the night before going into action." And she read,
" ' I, George Griffin,' <fec. &c. — you know how these
things begin — ' being now of sane mind' — um, um, um
— ' leave to my friends, Thomas Abraham Hicks, a co-
lonel in the H. E. I. Company's Service, and to John
Monro Mackirkincroft (of the house of Huffle, Mackir-
kincroft, and Dobbs, at Calcutta), the whole of my pro-
perty, to be realised as speedily as they may (consistent-
ly with the interests of the property), in trust for my
wife, Leonora Emilia Griffin (bom L. E. Eacksy), and
my only legitimate child, Matilda Griffin. The interest
resulting from such property to be paid to them, share
and share alike ; the principal to remain untouched, in
the names of the said T. A. Hicks and J. M. Mackirkin-
croft, until the death of my wife, Leonora Emilia Griffin,
when it shall be paid to my daughter, Matilda Griffin,
her heirs, executors, or assigns.' "



118 THE YELLOWPLUSH PAPERS.
