the less difficulty.  The present time was without doubt better than an indefinite future.  Miss Vanderpoel, having fortunately been able to come to Stornham, was greatly interested, and naturally desirous of seeing the work begun.  Her father also would be interested.  Since it was not possible to consult Sir Nigel, it had seemed proper to consult his solicitors in whose hands the estate had been for so long a time.  She was aware, it seemed, that not only Mr. Townlinson, but Mr. Townlinson’s father, and also his grandfather, had legally represented the Anstruthers, as well as many other families.  As there seemed no necessity for any structural changes, and the work done was such as could only rescue and increase the value of the estate, could there be any objection to its being begun without delay?

Certainly an unusual young lady.  It would be interesting to discover how well she knew Sir Nigel, since it seemed that only a knowledge of him—­his temper, his bitter, irritable vanity, could have revealed to her the necessity of the precaution she was taking without even intimating that it was a precaution.  Extraordinarily clever girl.

Mr. Townlinson wore an air of quiet, business-like reflection.

“You are aware, Miss Vanderpoel, that the present income from the estate is not such as would justify anything approaching the required expenditure?”

“Yes, I am aware of that.  The expense would be provided for by my father.”

“Most generous on Mr. Vanderpoel’s part,” Mr. Townlinson commented.  “The estate would, of course, increase greatly in value.”

Circumstances had prevented her father from visiting Stornham, Miss Vanderpoel explained, and this had led to his being ignorant of a condition of things which he might have remedied.  She did not explain what the particular circumstances which had separated the families had been, but Mr. Townlinson thought he understood.  The condition existing could be remedied now, if Messrs. Townlinson & Sheppard saw no obstacles other than scarcity of money.

Mr. Townlinson’s summing up of the matter expressed in effect that he saw none.  The estate had been a fine one in its day.  During the last sixty years it had become much impoverished.  With conservative decorum of manner, he admitted that there had not been, since Sir Nigel’s marriage, sufficient reason for the neglect of dilapidations.  The firm had strongly represented to Sir Nigel that certain resources should not be diverted from the proper object of restoring the property, which was entailed upon his son.  The son’s future should beyond all have been considered in the dispensing of his mother’s fortune.