He could not look to be there for less than four years; and there was hardly reason why a man in his position should expatriate himself to such a place for so long a time.  He felt that he should not have gone but for his engagement to Arabella Trefoil, and that neither would he have gone had his engagement been solid and permanent.  He was going in order that he might be rid of that trouble, and a man’s feelings in such circumstances cannot be satisfactory to himself.  However he had said that he would go, and he knew enough of himself to be certain that having said so he would not alter his mind.  But he was very melancholy and Mrs. Hopkins declared to old Mrs. Twentyman that the young squire was “hipped,”—­“along of his lady love,” as she thought.

His hands had been so full of his visitors when at Bragton before, and he had been carried off so suddenly to Rufford, and then had hurried up to London in such misery, that he had hardly had time to attend to his own business.  Mr. Masters had made a claim upon him since he had been in England for 127l. 8s. 4d in reference to certain long-gone affairs in which the attorney declared he had been badly treated by those who had administered the Morton estate.  John Morton had promised to look into the matter and to see Mr. Masters.  He had partially looked into it and now felt ashamed that he had not fully kept his promise.  The old attorney had not had much hope of getting his money.  It was doubtful to himself whether he could make good his claim against the Squire at law, and it was his settled purpose to make no such attempt although he was quite sure that the money was his due.  Indeed if Mr. Morton would not do anything further in the matter, neither would he.  He was almost too mild a man to be a successful lawyer, and had a dislike to asking for money.  Mr. Morton had promised to see him, but Mr. Morton had probably—­forgotten it.  Some gentlemen seem apt to forget such promises.

Mr. Masters was somewhat surprised therefore when he was told one morning in his office that Mr. Morton from Bragton wished to see him.  He thought that it must be Reginald Morton, having not heard that the Squire had returned to the country.  But John Morton was shown into the office, and the old attorney immediately arose from his arm-chair.  Sundown was there, and was at once sent out of the room.  Sundown on such occasions was accustomed to retire to some settlement seldom visited by the public which was called the back office.  Nickem was away intent on unravelling the Goarly mystery, and the attorney could ask his visitor to take a confidential seat.  Mr. Morton however had very little to say.  He was full of apologies and at once handed out a cheque for the sum demanded.  The money was so much to the attorney that he was flurried by his own success.  “Perhaps,” said Morton, “I ought in fairness to add interest”

“Not at all;—­by no means.  Lawyers never expect that.  Really, Mr. Morton, I am very much obliged.  It was so long ago that I thought that perhaps you might think—­”