why on earth should there be hesitation regarding the former?
So marvelled Nicholas, having, of course, no clue to the inner workings
of Antony's mind. And even if he had had, the workings would have
appeared to him illogical and unreasonable. It is truly not fully certain
whether Antony understood them himself. He only knew that whereas it
would be possible, though difficult, for him to remain in the
neighbourhood of the Duchessa as Michael Field, gardener, to remain as
Antony Gray, gentleman, appeared to him to be impossible; though
precisely why it should be, he could not well have explained to himself.

"I should prefer to decline the offer," replied Antony quietly.

Nicholas's face fell. He was blankly disappointed, as blankly
disappointed as a child at the sudden frustration of some cherished
scheme. In twenty minutes Spencer Curtis, agent, would be blandly
entering the library, and there would be no _coup de theatre_, such as
Nicholas had pictured, to confront him.

"May I ask the reason for your refusal?" questioned Nicholas, his utter
disappointment lending a flat hardness to his voice.

Antony shrugged his shoulders.

"Merely that I prefer to refuse," he answered.

Nicholas's mouth set in grim lines. His temper, never a very equable
commodity, got the better of his diplomacy.

"It is always possible for me to alter my will," he remarked suavely.

Antony flashed round on him.

"For God's sake alter it, then," he cried. "The most fool thing I ever
did in my life was to fall in with your mad scheme. Write to your
solicitors at once." He made for the door.

"Stop," said Nicholas.

Antony halted on the threshold. He was furious at the situation.

"I have no intention of altering my will," said Nicholas, "I should like
you clearly to understand that. I intend to abide by my part of the
contract whether you do or do not now see fit to abide by your own."

Antony hesitated. The statement had taken him somewhat by surprise.

"What do you mean?" he demanded.

"Precisely what I say," retorted Nicholas. "I have made you my heir, and
I have no intention of revoking that decision. You agreed to work for me
for a year. You can break your contract if you choose. I shall not break
mine."

"I can refuse the inheritance," said Antony.

Nicholas laughed. "If you choose to shirk responsibility and see the
tenants remain the victims of Curtis's tenderness, you can do so. You
have had experience of his ideas of f