rriage--he begins a being careless and masterful already. Ay,
and she'll find him harder and carelesser nor she thinks on.'

'You seem to be well acquainted with him,' I observed.

'I am, sir; I've known him since he was quite a young gentleman; and a
proud 'un he was, and a wilful. I was servant yonder for several years;
but I couldn't stand their niggardly ways--she got ever longer and worse,
did missis, with her nipping and screwing, and watching and grudging; so
I thought I'd find another place.'

'Are we not near the house?' said I, interrupting him.

'Yes, sir; yond's the park.'

My heart sank within me to behold that stately mansion in the midst of
its expansive grounds. The park as beautiful now, in its wintry garb, as
it could be in its summer glory: the majestic sweep, the undulating swell
and fall, displayed to full advantage in that robe of dazzling purity,
stainless and printless--save one long, winding track left by the
trooping deer--the stately timber-trees with their heavy-laden branches
gleaming white against the dull, grey sky; the deep, encircling woods;
the broad expanse of water sleeping in frozen quiet; and the weeping ash
and willow drooping their snow-clad boughs above it--all presented a
picture, striking indeed, and pleasing to an unencumbered mind, but by no
means encouraging to me. There was one comfort, however,--all this was
entailed upon little Arthur, and could not under any circumstances,
strictly speaking, be his mother's. But how was she situated?
Overcoming with a sudden effort my repugnance to mention her name to my
garrulous companion, I asked him if he knew whether her late husband had
left a will, and how the property had been disposed of. Oh, yes, he knew
all about it; and I was quickly informed that to her had been left the
full control and management of the estate during her son's minority,
besides the absolute, unconditional possession of her own fortune (but I
knew that her father had not given her much), and the small additional
sum that had been settled upon her before marriage.

Before the close of the explanation we drew up at the park-gates. Now
for the trial. If I should find her within--but alas! she might be still
at Staningley: her brother had given me no intimation to the contrary. I
inquired at the porter's lodge if Mrs. Huntingdon were at home. No, she
was with her aunt in --shire, but was expected to return before
Christmas. She usually spent mos