It was at this juncture that old William Watson reminded Sir Simon Degge of a conversation in the great grove of Rockville, which they had held at the time that Sir Roger was endeavoring to drive the people thence.

“What a divine pleasure might this man enjoy,” said Simon Deg to his humble friend, “if he had a heart capable of letting others enjoy themselves.”

“But we talk without the estate,” said William Watson; “what might we do if we were tried with it?”

Sir Simon was silent for a moment; then observed that there was sound philosophy in William Watson’s remark.  He said no more, but went away; and the next day announced to the astonished old man that he had purchased the groves and the whole ancient estate of Rockville!

Sir Simon Degge, the last of a long line of paupers, was become the possessor of the noble estate of Sir Roger Rockville, of Rockville, the last of a long line of aristocrats!

The following summer, when the hay was lying in fragrant cocks in the great meadows of Rockville, and on the little islands in the river, Sir Simon Degge, Baronet, of Rockville—­for such was now his title-through the suggestion of a great lawyer, formerly Recorder of the Borough of Stockington, to the crown—­held a grand fete on the occasion of his coming to reside at Rockville Hall, henceforth the family seat of the Degges.  His house and gardens had all been restored to the most consummate order.  For years Sir Simon had been a great purchaser of works of art and literature, paintings, statuary, books, and articles of antiquity, including rich armor and precious works in ivory and gold.

First and foremost he gave a great banquet to his wealthy friends, and no man with a million and a half is without them—­and in abundance.  In the second place, he gave a substantial dinner to all his tenantry, from the wealthy farmer of five hundred acres to the tenant of a cottage.  On this occasion he said, “Game is a subject of great heart-burning and of great injustice to the country.  It was the bane of my predecessors:  let us take care it is not ours.  Let every man kill the game on the land that he rents—­then he will not destroy it utterly, nor allow it to grow into a nuisance.  I am fond of a gun myself, but I trust to find enough for my propensity to the chase in my own fields and woods—­if I occasionally extend my pursuit across the lands of my tenants, it shall not be to carry off the first fruits of their feeding, and I shall still hold the enjoyment as a favor.”

We need not say that this speech was applauded most vociferously.  Thirdly, and lastly, he gave a grand entertainment to all his work people, both of the town and the country.  His house and gardens were thrown open to the inspection of the whole assembled company.  The delighted crowd admired immensely the pictures and the pleasant gardens.  On the lawn, lying between the great grove and the hall, an enormous tent was pitched, or rather a vast canvas