“And a good thing, too!” John said heartily.  “I have never said a word before, squire, because, as you had chosen him as your heir, there was no use in setting you against him; but a more hatefuller lad than Richard Horton I never comed across, and so said everyone here.  You did not see much of him, squire, and natural thought well of him, for he was a good-looking boy, and could speak fair enough when he liked.  I thought well of him, myself, when he first came, but I larned better, afterwards.”

“There are many excuses to be made for him, John,” the squire said, “and I have had good reports of him, since.  Of course, I shall see that, although he can no longer be regarded as my heir here, he shall be well provided for.  But there will be plenty of time to think of this.”

“Mr. Wilks asked me to say, sir,” the butler said as he prepared to leave them, “that he shall be staying in Sidmouth tomorrow, and that, if you wish to see him, he will come up here.”

“Certainly I wish to see him,” the squire replied.  “I have many things to ask him.  Let the boy go down, the first thing in the morning, or—­no, if you don’t mind, John, would you go down yourself tonight?  He will naturally be anxious to know how his grandchild is getting on.  Tell him with what joy I have received her, and take any message she may give you.

“Is there anything you would like to say to your grandfather, child?”

“Oh, yes.  Please tell him that I think I shall like it, and that he is to come and see me when he likes, and that, of course, he is to see me when he comes in the morning, and then I can tell him all about it.”

“And say, I shall be glad to see him the first thing after breakfast,” the squire added.

The housekeeper soon entered, and Aggie, very sleepy after the excitements of the day, was taken off to bed.  Her sleepiness, however, disappeared in her wonder at the size of the house, and at the vastness of her bedroom.

“Why, you have got a fire!” she exclaimed in astonishment.  “I never saw a fire in a bedroom, before.”

“I didn’t light it for the cold, miss,” the housekeeper said; “but because it is a long time since the room was slept in before, and because I thought it would be cheerful for you.  I shall sleep in the next room, till things are settled, so that, if you want anything, you will only have to run in.”

“Thank you,” Aggie said gratefully.  “It does all seem so big; but I am sure not to want anything.  Thank you.”

“Here is your box, miss.  Would you like me to help undress you?”

“Oh, no!” Aggie laughed.  “Why, of course I can undress myself;” and she laughed at the idea of assistance being required in such a matter.

“Then, good night!” the housekeeper said.  “I shall leave the door ajar, between the two rooms, when I come to bed.”