branch, and every wall, and every
barn. I shall be happy at last, Ralph, if I think that you can enjoy
it." Then there was again a silence, for tears were in the eyes both
of the father and of the son. "Indeed," continued the Squire, as he
rubbed the moisture away, "my great pleasure, while I remain, will be
to see you active about the place. As it is now, how is it possible
that you should care for it?"

"But I do care for it, and I think I am active about it."

"Yes,--making money for that idiot, who is to come after me. But I
don't think he ever will come. I dare say he won't be ashamed to
shoot your game and drink your claret, if you'll allow him. For the
matter of that, when the thing is settled he may come and drink
my wine if he pleases. I'll be his loving uncle then, if he don't
object. But as it is now;--as it has been, I couldn't have borne
him."

Even yet there had been no clear statement as to what had been done
between father and son. There was so much of clinging, trusting,
perfect love in the father's words towards the son, that the latter
could not bear to say a word that should produce sorrow. When the
Squire declared that Ralph should have it all, free,--to do just as
he pleased with it, with all the full glory of ownership, Ralph could
not bring himself to throw a doubt upon the matter. And yet he did
doubt;--more than doubted;--felt almost certain that his father was
in error. While his father had remained alone up in town he had been
living with Gregory, and had known what Gregory thought and believed.
He had even seen his namesake's letter to Gregory, in which it was
positively stated that the reversion would not be sold. Throughout
the morning the Squire went on speaking of his hopes, and saying that
this and that should be done the very moment that the contract was
signed; at last Ralph spoke out, when, on some occasion, his father
reproached him for indifference. "I do so fear that you will be
disappointed," he said.

"Why should I be disappointed?"

"It is not for my own sake that I fear, for in truth the arrangement,
as it stands, is no bar to my enjoyment of the place."

"It is a most absolute bar to mine," said the Squire.

"I fear it is not settled."

"I know that;--but I see no reason why it should not be settled. Do
you know any reason?"

"Gregory feels sure that his brother will never consent."

"Gregory is all very well. Gregory is the best fellow in the world.
Had Gregor