Orley Farm

at Oxford with a gentleman of great skill in his peculiar line of life, whose usual residence was in the metropolis; and so great had been the attraction found in the c

er, presumed to be the pride of Smithfield; how a great match came off, second only in importance to a contest for the belt of England; how money was lost and quarrels arose, and how Peregrine Orme thrashed one sporting gent within an inch of his life, and fought his way out of Carroty Bob's house at twelve o'clock at night. The tale of the row got into the newspapers, and of course reached The Cleeve. Sir Peregri

t?" said Sir Peregrine, looking very sternly at the young m

caresses, and had expressed her opinion that the chief fault had lain with Carroty Bob and those other wretched people who had lured her dear child into their villainous den. She had altogether failed to conceal h

I do not speak of myself. I do not expect you to sacrifice yo

o;-and

the baronet was stopped in his speech, and wiped his eyes with his handkerchief. "Do you think that your

ut I have heard you say, sir, that you somet

of gentlemen-that is, when I did go, which was very seldom." The baronet in some afte

e in Cowcross Street wi

I am not going to argue with you, sir. If you think, and will cont

foxes are v

of life before me, and when I shall be no more, you can squander the property in any vile pursuits that may be pleasing to you. But, sir, you shall not do it while I am living; nor, if I can help it, shall you rob your mother of such peace of mind as is left for her in

ther!" said Per

and he bethought himself also that if he could wean his heir from rats for a year or so, the taste would peris

regrine the younger; "and th

oung man's pertinacity, and yet almost amused at his grandson's already fo

of August, sir? The best of the mat

ime than the present. Will you give me your w

all that he was to lose, and then slowly gave his adhesion to the terms. "Very wel

h; so Sir Peregrine accepted the promise for what it was worth. "And now," said

of all things,"

ill down to Crutchley Bottom; but I don't think I'll have it done. Tell Jacob to let u

on bad terms with those around him, and with none more so than with his grandson. Peregrine well knew how to make himself pleasant to the old man, and when duly encouraged would always do so. And thus the family par

must be made," said Sir Peregrine, as he got off his horse at the entra

note was brought up to The Cleeve

Sir Pe

leeve at that hour. Or if it would suit you better to call here as you are riding,

ncerely

y M

rsd

ive of taking that trouble on himself was given to him. Moreover, he liked to have some object for his daily ride; he liked to be consulted "on certain matters;" and he especially liked being so consulted by

h, and so back to the farm. But in walking one would take the path along the river for nearly a mile, thence rise up the hill to the top of Crutchley Wood, descend through the wood to Crutchley Bottom, and, passing along the valley, come out at the foot of Cleeve Hill, just opposite to Orley Farm Gate. The d

come, would certainly have justified her in a pony-chaise. Since Lucius had become master of the house he had presented her with such a vehicle, and also with the pony and harness complete; but as yet she had never used it, being afraid, as she said to him with a smile, of appearing ambiti

ing about her was neat and pretty, and everything had been the object of feminine care. A very plain dress may occasion as much study as the most elaborate,-and may be quite as

s all very well from Sir Peregrine in the existing case; but he was not a man who by any means recognised the necessity of being civil to all who lived near him. To

ut I'll tell you why I am troubling you now.

old me that he

affair in Cowcross Street, and certain other affairs of a somewhat similar nature, thought that she had; but for all

the widow. "Nothing can be better th

action at Liverpool, o

tion is-; but perhaps I had better explain the who

land which you held y

nxious to add even to that. He is ve

bad one; though in his special circumstances I

and a mind altogether made up as to the line of life which he thinks will suit him best.

e amusement," said Sir Peregrine, wi

no," said the widow, feeling some little shame in coming to so

not get his guano from Wal

not good. He an

fe, and had his own ideas on the subject. He knew very well that no gentleman, let him set to work as he might with his own land, could do as well with it as a farmer who must make a living out of his farming besides paying the rent;-who must do that or else have no living; and he knew also that such operations as those which his young fr

ay to him, Sir Peregrine? In such a matter as that I am afraid tha

was a disagreeable task, he said, that of giving advice to a young man wh

romise on the part of the baronet to take the case in hand, and to see Lucius immediately on his return from Liverpool. "He had better