Poor Caroline!  She did not wholly omit to pray “In all time of our tribulation, in all time of our wealth, deliver us!” but if she had known all that was in her children’s hearts, her own would have trembled more.

And as to Ellen, the utmost she allowed herself to say was, “Well, I hope she will make a good use of it!”

While the Colonel, as trustee and adviser, had really a very considerable amount of direct importance and enjoyment before him, which might indeed be-—to use his own useful phrase—-"a fearful responsibility,” but was no small boon to a man with too much time on his hands.

CHAPTER XVI.  POSSESSION.

Vain glorious Elf, said he, dost thou not weete
That money can thy wants at will supply;
Shields, steeds and armes, and all things for thee meet,
It can purvey in twinkling of an eye. 
                                         Spenser.

Bobus’s opinion that it would be long before anything came of this accession of wealth was for a few days verified in the eyes of the impatient family, for Christmas interfered with some of the necessary formalities; and their mother, still thinking that another will might be discovered, declared that they were not to go within the gates of Belforest till they were summoned.

At last, after Colonel Brownlow had spent a day in London, he made his appearance with a cheque-book in his hand, and the information that he and his fellow-trustee had so arranged that the heiress could open an account, and begin to enter on the fruition of the property.  There were other arrangements to be made, those about the out-door servants and keepers could be settled with Richards, but she ought to remove her two sons from the foundation of the two colleges, though of course they would continue there as pupils.

“And Robert,” she said, colouring exceedingly, “if you will let me, there is a thing I wish very much—-to send your John to Eton with mine.  He is my godson, you know, and it would be such a pleasure to me.”

“Thank you, Caroline,” said the Colonel, after a moment’s hesitation, “Johnny is to stand at the Eton election, and I should prefer his owing his education to his own exertions rather than to any kindness.”

“Yes, yes; I understand that,” said Caroline; “but I do want you to let me do anything for any of them.  I should be so grateful,” she added, imploringly, with a good deal of agitation; “please-—please think of it, as if your brother were still here.  You would never mind how much he did for them.”

“Yes, I should,” said the Colonel, decidedly, but pausing to collect his next sentence.  “I should not accept from him what might teach my sons dependence.  You see that, Caroline.”

“Yes,” she humbly said.  “He would be wise about it!  I don’t want to be disagreeable and oppressive, Robert; I will never try to force things on you; but please let me do all that is possible to you to allow.”