Explore "Lodore" by Mary Shelley on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Alas! he knows / The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; / That all must come to me, if I outlive him. / Which sure I must do, by the course of nature. / --Beaumont and Fletcher.
Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower. From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man. His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.