"And then I should have nothing to live on. I must do it. I have no
way out of it,--except cutting my throat."

The Squire's son paused a moment, thinking. "I was told by my
father," said he, "to offer you more money."

"If it's worth more the people will say so," said Ralph the heir,
impetuously; "I do not want to sell it for more than it's worth. Ask
them to settle it immediately. There are people I must pay money to
at once."

And so the Squire's son had done the Squire's errand. When he
reported his success to Mr. Carey, that gentleman asked him whether
he had the heir's consent in writing. At this the successful buyer
was almost disposed to be angry; but Mr. Carey softened him by an
acknowledgment that he had done more than could have been expected.
"I'll see his lawyer to-morrow," said Mr. Carey, "and then, unless
he changes his mind again, we'll soon have it settled." After that
the triumphant negotiator sent a telegram home to his father, "It is
settled, and the purchase is made."

CHAPTER XXV.

"MR. GRIFFENBOTTOM."

On Monday, the 16th of October, Sir Thomas Underwood went down
to Percycross, and the first information given him was that Mr.
Westmacott and Ontario Moggs had arrived on the Saturday, and were
already at work. Mr. Griffenbottom was expected early on the Tuesday.
"They've stolen a march on us, then," said Sir Thomas to Mr. Trigger.

"Give 'em rope enough, and they'll hang themselves," replied the
managing agent. "There was Moggs spouting to them on his own hook on
Saturday night, and Westmacott's chaps are ready to eat him. And he
wanted to be doing it yesterday, Sunday; only some of them got a hold
of him and wouldn't let him loose. Moggs is a great card for us, Sir
Thomas. There's nothing like one of them spouting fellows to overset
the coach."

"Mr. Westmacott is fond of that too," said Sir Thomas.

"He understands. He's used to it. He does it in the proper place.
Westmacott wasn't a bad member for the place;--wasn't perhaps quite
free enough with his money, but Westmacott was very decent." Sir
Thomas could not help feeling that Trigger spoke of it as though he
wished that the two old members might be returned. Ah, well! had
it been possible, Mr. Trigger would have wished it. Mr. Trigger
understood the borough, knew well the rocks before them, and
would have wished it,--although he had been so imperative with Mr.
Griffenbottom as to the second conservative candidate. And no