d, Mr. Sinclair; she will be at hand, and that is a great
matter."

"Don't give it up so rashly. I'd rather fight it out to the death than
that. At any rate, you might keep possession of Cross Hall for a while
till you made your way in public life," said Mr. MacFarlane.

"The plan of action I had laid out for myself was not likely to succeed
for ten or twenty years, in all probability; and the lawsuit, if
protracted to the utmost, would likely go against me at last--I see it
would; and the only effect would be that the benevolent societies would
come to the property when it had been reduced about one half by
litigation. With all due respect for you personally, Mr. MacFarlane, I
think money spent in law the very worst investment for all parties
concerned, and for the world in general. No, it shall be given up at
once."

"But," said Sinclair, "it would be unfair to yourself to begin the
world at greater disadvantage than before you were left the property."

"Yes, I think it would," said Francis. "I might represent the case to
them in that light. I am satisfied with your opinion, Mr. MacFarlane;
but on a question of such importance, you will, of course, have no
objection to my consulting another adviser--the Lord Advocate, I think."

"Certainly, you could not have a better man," said Mr. MacFarlane.

"Give me the will or a copy to show him," said Francis. "I must make a
note of the names and addresses of these societies, in case his opinion
coincides with yours, for I must write to each of them to send a
delegate or deputation to meet me. I should see them all at once, and
explain matters to them. Rather a hard matter for a shy man like myself
to bring his love affairs before five charitable associations."

"Shy!" said Sinclair. "You are as bold and frank a politician as I ever
saw."

"Oh, politics are another matter; but until I met with Jane, I never
had any one in whom I could confide--I never even knew the blessing of
friendship before. She taught me to be frank, for she had confidence in
me and felt for me. You see I am practising for the associations by
speaking to two elderly gentlemen on the subject. Another lesson at the
Lord Advocate's, and I hope to be equal to the emergency."

The Lord Advocate agreed in all points with Mr. MacFarlane as to the
legal chances of keeping the property; and although he thought it a
very quixotic thing to give it up, Francis was determined on that
subject. The letters were