Dariel

le he has to contend with. Their opinion to this effect frequently is of some service to him, and very seldom hurts him, unless he wants

of the ground and give himself an airing late at night. And then if you moisten him from above, in September or O

hings are lost to the eyes, and the larger objects begin to assert themselves. For after all, what are the toys of the day, for which we sweat, and fight, and crawl, and rack our poor brains till they cry

ur of a man, keener by a thousandfold, and harder than in my worst moments I could long to be, except by such principles, or (if they are not that) such want of principle, such backslidi

ing my pipe, or perhaps allowing it to consider for me, because I was tired with a hard day's work, and fit for nothing but putting my legs up. While we were so busy with the only thing worth growing now in England, because it grows itself,

nd the darkening of my open doorway, aroused me. "Come in, Bob," I said, "anything the matter?

ou can spare me a few minutes, Mr. Cranleigh, yo

civility. My snuggery was but a very little place, forming a part of the harness-room, and resigned (whenever the door was shut) to a very modest share of daylight coming through leaded diamonds, which were certainly not brilliants. So I lit my candles, still having a pair, and offered him my one armchair, an ancient Windsor, w

though he showed some signs of nervousness; "it must be understood that whether I am r

t harm could I do to a man of his wealth? And if a man of

nleigh, to questions of birth, and position i

is, that I am too busy now to dwell much upon

ne glance from his swift eyes showed me that he thought none the more

hose who are born to such advantage have the wisdom not to overdo it. But I want to put a few plain questions to you; and from what I have heard and

st of my knowledge, of anything

you may think that I should have gone to your father first. But I thought it better to give you the chance of savin

ld be the proper man; but he is seldom here, and he is not f

ful. Not that he was an unsightly fellow, but very good-looking in a certain way. His forehead was large and square, and gave the idea of strength and steadfastness, and his eyes, perhaps too deeply set, but full of vigour and decision. His complexion was dark for an Englishman's,

ase might have been perhaps,-and he waited the result w

produce goodwill, especially with young men of high spirit. But I will not go into that question now, beyond asking you this a

n that. I may say that you have shown u

ow as to taking the hounds, I have given no promise, until I knew

ather kept them on, long after he could afford it; but my father never cared for them, and gave it up as soon as possible. As

You mean, I suppose, that you would like

ndsomely. As it is, I would not, even if I could affo

too forward, if I bring them back to the old place, just

take it amiss but ourselves; a

as we do. They might take it into their heads-I mean, they mi

been consulted, and therefore they are shy about forming their opinions. It is not as if they had no weight, as among th

oke with a smile of calm inquiry, entirely free from irony, and evidently wished me to

pump me," thought I, "he will find that the water has gone fro

ounds, as Lord Wiedeland has resigned them. It was signed by yourself and your brother Harold. That made me think more about it. It seems rather absurd for a busy man like me, who could never be ou

keep things in good order. There is not a man in the neighbourhood who dares take any liberties with you. Joe Stevens, of course, will come over with the pack. He is a

the distinct conditions which I shall make, will you join me, and be in effect the real master, although my name is used? You are here always,

fond of hunting, I was not far from saying yes, when luckily my pipe went out. With that I arose to get anot

at last point strongly, having shown no friendship towards this man. "But I cannot accept it, Mr. Stoneman. I will do all I can to make things

rvice. But the inroads upon your time, and the many derangements-well, never mind, so long as

e not very long ago. Some of your young cracks would find

he death upon his old donkey, and won it. Very well, all that is settled-not exactly as I should wish, but as

d wealthy, might make sure of everything that in reason he required. With l

Mr. Cranleigh. And in some of the greatest moments of my life-but I will not bother you with them. Only I may say that I loo

y man ever born is at all times right in his head. For if anybody could be expected to know what he is about at all times, I should h

firm as the Funds, and looked down at me-for I was in my Windsor chair agai

re not a rap what anybody thinks. I love your sister

ked at him without a word. For a moment I was b

right to lift my eyes to her. That even a mint of money can never make up for the want of birth. That I am nothing but an upstart. That I may be a

ecovered myself, and objecting to have my arguments forestalled. "You seem to forget yourse

hearts and darts. I have no poetical ideas. I could not fling myself off a rock-if there was one. I don't know how to couch a lance. I am pretty

nets; and of that, when you are at all yourself, you must have a very large supply. Now sit down, and let us talk this out. At first it cam

atural gifts, and everything that one could think of, except bodily strength and the accident of birth. Nevertheless I did at once, after that weak confession of his, take a decided lead upon him. Why? Because he was

, by way of protest, as if I were begging the question; but seeing how judicious my view was, and desiring perhaps to conciliate me, he pulled out a large cigar and did his best to light it. "You may take it," I proceeded, with much magnanimity and some contempt, little presaging my own co

ld never have taken the Hall unless-I mean if anybody else ha

e as straight as you are. It is difficult for me to

you will, I shall not forget whose brother you

fish as a girl alone can be. On the other hand, she is proud, and high-spirited, and as obstinate as the very devil. Of money she never thinks twice, e

ery bitterly. He made no answer; but the expression

sistent she may be. And Grace is only a girl after all, so that no one must be too certain. She forms her own opinions to some exten

, I suppose-I mean you ha

sent for to give you the keys. The utmost I could get out of her was, 'Oh, yes, he was very polite, very polite

uld have expected; and for that I am very grateful. But I want to know this. I have heard a good deal of the importance attached by the Cranleighs to their very old lineage-Saxon, I believe. But my family has no such claims. We can boast no more than this-for

, and of far lower birth than his, who would have considered themselves at the top, and me at the bottom of the tower. But before I could answer, a sudden flush came over his face, and he rose in ha

glass of beer before despising everything), by some extraordinary gift of sight-though there never

ost too sweet for home-consumption only. "Work, work, all day, doub

tter English." I spoke in that way, because I really do dislike a

of some one too ready to make too much of her. "If you understand it, that is enough. But do come, darling George, you make us so sadl

ho is good to him; but he must be allowed to break out sometimes, or she herself will soon make nought of him. And all this unusual gush fro

very dim; but I really should have thought that you must have seen Mr. Stoneman there. Mr. Stoneman, a

came forward and offered his hand to my discomfited sister, with the lowest bow I ever did beh

"Really I must take to spectacles. But I hope, as you have heard my little lecture, you will join me in persuading my dear brother to take a little

ng with a dignity which showed how wrong I

r he could not find anything grand enough.

os, which in human affairs is almost sure to mean a return to common-se

d think about it. But do not suppose for a moment that I shall cherish any foolish hopes. I know wha

tishly; "you are famous for strong decision, as well as quick s

weakness. It i

and felt the deep loneliness of night, it struck me that perhaps this man was wise-to set his heart upon a constant love