“No, no.  Give him a fair price.  I never thought much of Jacob buying poor Esau out for a mess of pottage.  It was a mean trick.  I will put ten thousand pounds at Bunder’s in Threadneedle Street, London, for you.  Draw it all if you find it just and necessary.  The rental ought to determine the value.  I want you to have Seat-Sandal, but I do not want you to steal it.  However, my brother William may not die for many a year yet; those Dale squires are a century-living race.”

In accordance with these plans and intentions, Sophia wrote.  Her letter was, therefore, one of great and general sympathy; in fact, a very clever letter indeed.  It completely deceived every one.  The squire was told that Sophia and Julius were coming, and his face brightened a little.  Mrs. Sandal and Charlotte forgot all but their need of some help and comfort which was family help and comfort, free of ceremony, and springing from the same love, hopes, and interests.

Stephen, however, foresaw trouble.  “Julius will get the squire under his finger,” he said to Charlotte.  “He will make himself indispensable about the estate.  As for Sophia, she could always work mother to her own purposes.  Mother obeyed her will, even while she resented and disapproved her authority.  So, Charlotte, I shall begin at once to build Latrigg Hall.  I know it will be needed.  The plan is drawn, the site is chosen; and next Monday ground shall be broken for the foundation.”

“There is no harm in building your house, Steve.  If father should die, mother and I would be here upon Harry’s sufferance.  He might leave the place in our care, he might bring his wife to it any day.”

“And how could you live with her?”

“It would be impossible.  I should feel as if I were living with my father’s—­with the one who really gave father the death-blow.”

So when Julius and Sophia arrived at Seat-Sandal, the walls of Latrigg Hall were rising above the green sod.  A most beautiful site had been chosen for it,—­the lowest spur on the western side of the fell; a charming plateau facing the sea, shaded with great oaks, and sloping down into a little dale of lovely beauty.  The plan showed a fine central building, with lower wings on each side.  The wide porches, deep windows, and small stone balconies gave a picturesque irregularity to the general effect.  This home had been the dream of Stephen’s manhood, and Ducie also had urged him to its speedy realization; for she knew that it was the first step towards securing for himself that recognition among the county gentry which his wealth and his old family entitled him to.  Not that there was any intention of abandoning Up-Hill.  Both would have thought such a movement a voluntary insult to the family wraiths,—­one sure to bring upon them disaster of every kind.  Up-Hill was to be Ducie’s residence as long as she lived; it was to be always the home of the family in the hot months, and thus retain its right as an integral part and portion of the Latriggs’ hearth.