simply its money comfort, but in the stability and reputation of a recognised home.  Six months ago there had seemed to him to be something ridiculous in the idea of a permanent connection between the names of Caldigate and Folking.  It was absurd that, with so wild and beautiful a world around him, he should be called upon to live in a washy fen because his father and grandfather had been unfortunate enough to do so.  And then, at that time, all sympathy with bricks and mortar, any affection for special trees or well-known home-haunts, was absurd in his eyes.  And as his father had been harsh to him, and did not like him, would it not be better that they should be far apart?  It was thus that he had reasoned.  But now all that was changed.  An unwonted tenderness had come upon his spirit.  The very sallows by the brook seemed to appeal to him.  As he saw the house chimneys through the trees, he remembered that they had carried smoke from the hearths of many generations of Caldigates.  He remembered, too, that his father would soon be old, and would be alone.  It seemed to himself that his very mind and spirit were altered.

But all that was too late.  He had agreed to the terms proposed; and even were he now to repudiate them, what could he do with Davis, and how could he live for the present?  Not for a moment did he entertain such an idea, but he had lost that alacrity of spirit which had been his when he first found the way out of his difficulties.

His father did not come forth to meet him.  He went in across the hall and through the library, into a little closet beyond, in which Mr. Caldigate was wont to sit.  ‘Well, John,’ said the old man, ’how have you and Mr. Bolton got on together?’

There seemed to be something terribly cold in this.  It might be better that they should part,—­better even, though the parting should be for ever.  It might be right;—­nay, he knew that it was right that he should be thrust out of the inheritance.  He had spent money that was not his own, and, of course, he must pay the debt.  But that his father should sit there in his chair on his entrance, not even rising to greet him, and should refer at once to Mr. Bolton and that business arrangement, as though that, and that alone, need now be discussed, did seem to him to be almost cruel.  Of all that his father had suffered in constraining himself to this conduct, he understood nothing.  ’Mr. Bolton made himself very plain, sir.’

’He would be sure to do so.  He is a man of business and intelligent.  But as to the terms proposed, were they what you had expected?’

‘Quite as good as I had expected.’

’Whether good or bad, of course you will understand that I have had nothing to do with them.  The matter has been referred to two gentlemen conversant with such subjects; and, after due inquiry, they told Mr. Bolton what was the money value of your rights.  It is a question to be settled as easily as the price of a ton of coals or a joint of beef.  But you must understand that I have not interfered.’