thers; and though the pity
doubtless was there, he misdoubted it. He thought that Farmer Stovey
was cruel in that he had left the hay-cart near the house, to wound
his eyes by reminding him that he was no longer master of the ground
before his own hall door. He thought that the women and children were
cruel to chatter so near his ears. He almost accused his daughter of
cruelty, because she had told him that she liked the contiguity of
the hay-making. Under such circumstances as those which enveloped him
and her, was it not heartless in her to like anything? It seemed to
him that the whole world of Belton should be drowned in woe because
of his misery.

"Where is it from, papa?" she asked.

"There, you may read it. Perhaps it is better that you should know
that it has been written." Then she read the letter, which was as
follows:--

"Plaistow Hall, -- July, 186--."

Though she had never before seen the handwriting, she knew at once
from whence came the letter, for she had often heard of Plaistow
Hall. It was the name of the farm at which her distant cousin, Will
Belton, lived, and her father had more than once been at the trouble
of explaining to her, that though the place was called a hall, the
house was no more than a farmhouse. He had never seen Plaistow
Hall, and had never been in Norfolk; but so much he could take upon
himself to say, "They call all the farms halls down there." It was
not wonderful that he should dislike his heir; and, perhaps, not
unnatural that he should show his dislike after this fashion. Clara,
when she read the address, looked up into her father's face. "You
know who it is now," he said. And then she read the letter.

Plaistow Hall, -- July, 186--.

MY DEAR SIR,

I have not written to you before since your bereavement,
thinking it better to wait awhile; but I hope you have
not taken me to be unkind in this, or have supposed me
to be unmindful of your sorrow. Now I take up my pen,
hoping that I may make you understand how greatly I was
distressed by what has occurred. I believe I am now the
nearest male relative that you have, and as such I am very
anxious to be of service to you if it may be possible.
Considering the closeness of our connection, and my
position in reference to the property, it seems bad that
we should never meet. I can assure you that you would find
me very friendly if we could manage to come together.

I should think