STON" (with one exception): failen her life to her husband:
failen his life to the heirs of his head--body I would say: failen
them to her absolutely and her heirs for ever: failen these to Pa'son
Raunham, and so on to the end o' the human race. Now do you see the
depth of her scheme? Why, although upon the surface it appeared her
whole property was for Miss Cytherea, by the word "wife" being used,
and not Cytherea's name, whoever was the wife o' Manston would come
in for't. Wasn't that rale depth? It was done, of course, that her
son AEneas, under any circumstances, should be master o' the property,
without folk knowen it was her son or suspecting anything, as they would
if it had been left to en straightway.'

'A clever arrangement! And what was the exception?'

'The payment of a legacy to her relative, Pa'son Raunham.'

'And Miss Cytherea was now Manston's widow and only relative, and
inherited all absolutely.'

'True, she did. "Well," says she, "I shan't have it" (she didn't like
the notion o' getten anything through Manston, naturally enough, pretty
dear). She waived her right in favour o' Mr. Raunham. Now, if there's
a man in the world that d'care nothen about land--I don't say there is,
but _if_ there is--'tis our pa'son. He's like a snail. He's a-growed so
to the shape o' that there rectory that 'a wouldn' think o' leaven it
even in name. "'Tis yours, Miss Graye," says he. "No, 'tis yours," says
she. "'Tis'n' mine," says he. The Crown had cast his eyes upon the case,
thinken o' forfeiture by felony--but 'twas no such thing, and 'a gied
it up, too. Did you ever hear such a tale?--three people, a man and
a woman, and a Crown--neither o' em in a madhouse--flingen an estate
backwards and forwards like an apple or nut? Well, it ended in this way.
Mr. Raunham took it: young Springrove was had as agent and steward, and
put to live in Knapwater House, close here at hand--just as if 'twas
his own. He does just what he'd like--Mr. Raunham never interferen--and
hither to-day he's brought his new wife, Cytherea. And a settlement ha'
been drawn up this very day, whereby their children, heirs, and cetrer,
be to inherit after Mr. Raunham's death. Good fortune came at last. Her
brother, too, is doen well. He came in first man in some architectural
competition, and is about to move to London. Here's the house, look.
Stap out from these bushes, and you'll get a clear sight o't.'

They emerged from the shrubbery, breaking off