nd did not altogether
have a very pleasant life of it. George had been apt to represent the
old man to himself as being as strong as an old tower, which, though
it be but a ruin, shows no sign of falling. To his eyes the Squire
had always seemed to be full of life and power. He could be violent
on occasions, and was hardly ever without violence in his eyes and
voice. But George's opinion was formed by his wish, or rather by
the reverses of his wish. For years he had been longing that his
grandfather should die,--had been accusing Fate of gross injustice in
that she did not snap the thread; and with such thoughts in his mind
he had grudged every ounce which the Squire's vigour had been able to
sustain. He had almost taught himself to believe that it would be a
good deed to squeeze what remained of life out of that violent old
throat. But, indeed, the embers of life were burning low; and had
George known all the truth, he would hardly have inclined his mind to
thoughts of murder.

He was, indeed, very weak with age, and tottering with unsteady steps
on the brink of his grave, though he would still come down early from
his room, and would, if possible, creep out about the garden and into
the farmyard. He would still sit down to dinner, and would drink his
allotted portion of port wine, in the doctor's teeth. The doctor by
no means desired to rob him of his last luxury, or even to stint his
quantity; but he recommended certain changes in the mode and time
of taking it. Against this, however, the old Squire indignantly
rebelled, and scolded Kate almost off her legs when she attempted to
enforce the doctor's orders. "What the mischief does it signify,"
the old man said to her one evening;--"what difference will it make
whether I am dead or alive, unless it is that George would turn you
out of the house directly he gets it."

"I was not thinking of any one but yourself, sir," said Kate, with a
tear in her eye.

"You won't be troubled to think of me much longer," said the Squire;
and then he gulped down the remaining half of his glass of wine.

Kate was, in truth, very good to him. Women always are good under
such circumstances; and Kate Vavasor was one who would certainly
stick to such duties as now fell to her lot. She was eminently true
and loyal to her friends, though she could be as false on their
behalf as most false people can be on their own. She was very good
to the old man, tending all his wants, taking his viole