t wasn't worth gettin' in to ride a quarter of a mile. I am used to
exercise in California."

"To be sure. Come into the house, and lay your valise down anywhere.
Here is my wife, Mrs. Marlowe. Julia, this is Uncle Jacob, of whom you
have heard me speak so often."

"I am glad to see you, Mr. Marlowe," said the lady, formally, just
touching the old man's hand.

"Where are you going to put Uncle Jacob, Julia?" asked the squire.

"You may take him to the blue room," said Mrs. Marlowe, in a tone of
hesitation.

This blue room was the handsomest chamber in the house, and was assigned
to those whom it was considered politic to honor.

"Come right upstairs, Uncle Jacob. I'll show you your room myself," said
Albert Marlowe.

"I ain't used to such luxury, Albert," said the old man, as he gazed
around the comfortably appointed apartment. "You ought to see my cabin
at Murphy's diggings. I reckon your servant would turn up her nose at
it."

"I know you don't care much for style in California, uncle."

"No, we don't, though we've got as handsome houses in 'Frisco as
anywhere else. Why, Albert, this room is fine enough for a prince."

"Then you can think yourself a prince," said the squire, genially. "Now,
if you want to wash your face and hands, and arrange your toilet, you
will have abundant time before dinner. Come down when you have
finished."

Albert Marlowe returned to his wife.

"Mr. Marlowe," said she, "are you very sure that old man is rich?"

"I have no doubt of it, Julia."

"But what an old fright he is! Why, he looks dreadfully common, and his
clothes are wretchedly shabby."

"True, Julia; but you must remember miners are not very particular about
their dress."

"I should think not, if he is a fair specimen. It makes me shudder to
think of his occupying the blue-room. The hall bedroom on the third
floor would have been good enough for him."

"Remember, my dear, he is in all probability very wealthy, and we are
his heirs. I am not so well off as people imagine, and it will be a
great thing for us to have a fortune of a quarter or half a million drop
in by and by."

"There's something in that, to be sure," the lady admitted. "But can't
you induce him to wear better clothes?"

"I will suggest it very soon. We mustn't be too precipitate, for fear he
should take offense. You know these rich uncles expect to be treated
with a good deal of consideration."

"Do you think he will expect to live with us?