passion and a little less about your purse. Now, good
night."

"But we are friends."

"Oh yes;--as good friends as ever."

Cheesacre, as he drove himself home in the dark, tried to console
himself by thinking of the miserable plight in which Bellfield would
find himself at Norwich, with no possessions but what he had brought
into the town that day in a small bag. But as he turned in at his
own gate he met two figures emerging; one of them was laden with a
portmanteau, and the other with a hat case.

"It's only me, Cheesy, my boy," said Bellfield. "I've just come down
by the rail to fetch my things, and I'm going back to Norwich by the
9.20.

"If you've stolen anything of mine I'll have you prosecuted," roared
Cheesacre, as he drove his gig up to his own door.

VOLUME II

CHAPTER XLI

A Noble Lord Dies

George Vavasor remained about four days beneath his grandfather's
roof; but he was not happy there himself, nor did he contribute to
the happiness of any one else. He remained there in great discomfort
so long, being unwilling to leave till an answer had been received to
the request made to Aunt Greenow, in order that he might insist on
Kate's performance of her promise with reference to Alice, if that
answer should be unfavourable. During these five days Kate did all
in her power to induce her brother to be, at any rate, kind in his
manner towards his grandfather, but it was in vain. The Squire would
not be the first to be gracious; and George, quite as obstinate as
the old man, would take no steps in that direction till encouraged to
do so by graciousness from the other side. Poor Kate entreated each
of them to begin, but her entreaties were of no avail. "He is an
ill-mannered cub," the old man said, "and I was a fool to let him
into the house. Don't mention his name to me again." George argued
the matter more at length. Kate spoke to him of his own interest in
the matter, urging upon him that he might, by such conduct, drive the
Squire to exclude him altogether from the property.

"He must do as he likes," George said, sulkily.

"But for Alice's sake!" Kate answered.

"Alice would be the last to expect me to submit to unreasonable
ill-usage for the sake of money. As regards myself, I confess that
I'm very fond of money and am not particularly squeamish. I would
do anything that a man can do to secure it. But this I can't do. I
never injured him, and I never asked him to injure himself. I never