r and her descendants in a much improved position, and that she
would in time become attached to you. I forbade Colonel Quaritch the
house because I considered that an alliance with him would be
undesirable for everybody concerned. I find that in all this I was
acting wrongly, and I frankly admit it. Perhaps as we grow old we grow
worldly also, and you and your agents pressed me very hard, Mr.
Cossey. Still I have always told you that my daughter was a free agent
and must decide for herself, and therefore I owe you no apology on
this score. So much then for the question of your engagement to Miss
de la Molle. It is done with.

"Now as regards the threats you make. I shall try to meet them as
occasion arises, and if I cannot do so it will be my misfortune. But
one thing they show me, though I am sorry to have to say it to any man
in a house which I can still call my own--they show me that my first
impressions of you were the correct ones. /You are not a gentleman/,
Mr. Cossey, and I must beg to decline the honour of your further
acquaintance," and with another bow he opened the vestibule door and
stood holding the handle in his hand.

Edward Cossey looked round with a stare of rage. Then muttering one
most comprehensive curse he stalked from the room, and in another
minute was driving fast through the ancient gateway.

Let us pity him, for he also certainly received his due.

George followed him to the outer door and then did a thing that nobody
had seen him do before; he burst out into a loud laugh.

"What are you making that noise about?" asked his master sternly.
"This is no laughing matter."

"/Him!/" replied George, pointing to the retreating dog-cart--"/he's/
a-going to pull down the Castle and throw it into the moat and to send
the plough over it, is he? /Him/--that varmint! Why, them old towers
will be a-standing there when his beggarly bones is dust, and when his
name ain't no more a name; and there'll be one of the old blood
sitting in them too. I knaw it, and I hev allus knawed it. Come,
Squire, though you allus du say how as I'm a fule, what did I tell
yer? Didn't I tell yer that Prowidence weren't a-going to let this
place go to any laryers or bankers or thim sort? Why, in course I did.
And now you see. Not but what it is all owing to the Colonel. He was
the man as found it, but then God Almighty taught him where to dig.
But he's a good un, he is; and a gintleman, not like /him/," and once
more he poi