not dignified, but rapid, eh?"

And Lumley's face, as he spoke, had in it so much of frank gayety, and
his manner was so simple, that Maltravers could with difficulty fancy
him the same man who, five minutes before, had been uttering sentiments
that might have become the oldest-hearted intriguer whom the hot-bed of
ambition ever reared.

As soon as Lumley was gone, Maltravers left Cleveland alone to write
letters (Cleveland was an exemplary and voluminous correspondent) and
strolled with his dogs into the village. The effect which the presence
of Maltravers produced among his peasantry was one that seldom failed
to refresh and soothe his more bitter and disturbed thoughts. They
had gradually (for the poor are quick-sighted) become sensible of his
_justice_,--a finer quality than many that seem more amiable. They felt
that his real object was to make them better and happier; and they had
learned to see that the means he adopted generally advanced the end.
Besides, if sometimes stern, he was never capricious or unreasonable;
and then, too, he would listen patiently and advise kindly. They were
a little in awe of him, but the awe only served to make them more
industrious and orderly,--to stimulate the idle man, to reclaim
the drunkard. He was one of the favourers of the small-allotment
system,--not, indeed, as panacea, but as one excellent stimulant to
exertion and independence; and his chosen rewards for good conduct were
in such comforts as served to awaken amongst those hitherto passive,
dogged, and hopeless a desire to better and improve their condition.
Somehow or other, without direct alms, the goodwife found that the
little savings in the cracked teapot or the old stocking had greatly
increased since the squire's return, while her husband came home from
his moderate cups at the alehouse more sober and in better temper.
Having already saved something was a great reason why he should save
more. The new school, too, was so much better conducted than the old
one; the children actually liked going there; and now and then there
were little village feasts connected with the schoolroom; play and work
were joint associations.

And Maltravers looked into his cottages, and looked at the
allotment-ground; and it was pleasant to him to say to himself, "I am
not altogether without use in life." But as he pursued his lonely walk,
and the glow of self-approval died away with the scenes that called it
forth, the cloud again set