s of the heir. The late lord's widow was empowered to take away
from Scroope anything that she desired. In regard to money she was
provided for so amply that money did not matter to her. A whole year's
income from the estates was left to the heir in advance, so that he
might not be driven to any momentary difficulty in assuming the
responsibilities of his station. A comparatively small sum was left to
Jack Neville, and a special gem to Sophie Mellerby. There were bequests
to all the servants, a thousand pounds to the vicar of the
parish,--which perhaps was the only legacy which astonished the
legatee,--and his affectionate love to every tenant on the estate. All
the world acknowledged that it was as good a will as the Earl could have
made. Then the last of the strangers left the house, and the Earl of
Scroope was left to begin his reign and do his duty as best he might.

Jack had promised to remain with him for a few days, and Sophie
Mellerby, who had altogether given up her London season, was to stay
with the widow till something should be settled as to a future
residence. "If my aunt will only say that she will keep the house for a
couple of years, she shall have it," said Fred to the young
lady,--perhaps wishing to postpone for so long a time the embarrassment
of the large domain; but to this Lady Scroope would not consent. If
allowed she would remain till the end of July. By that time she would
find herself a home.

"For the life of me, I don't know how to begin my life," said the new
peer to his brother as they were walking about the park together.

"Do not think about beginning it at all. You won't be angry, and will
know what I mean, when I say that you should avoid thinking too much of
your own position."

"How am I to help thinking of it? It is so entirely changed from what it
was."

"No Fred,--not entirely; nor as I hope, is it changed at all in those
matters which are of most importance to you. A man's self, and his ideas
of the manner in which he should rule himself, should be more to him
than any outward accidents. Had that cousin of ours never died--"

"I almost wish he never had."

"It would then have been your ambition to live as an honourable
gentleman. To be that now should be more to you than to be an Earl and a
man of fortune."

"It's very easy to preach, Jack. You were always good at that. But here
I am, and what am I to do? How am I to begin? Everybody says that I am
to change nothing. Th