is
tongue. What had been his fortune the rival would not ask; and while
the two remained together at the priory no further word was spoken
of Mary Bonner. He, Ralph the dispossessed one, while he believed
himself to be the heir, had intended to bring her home as a fitting
queen to share his throne. It might be that she would consent to be
his without a throne to share; but in thinking of her he could not
but remember what his ambition had been, and he could hardly bring
himself now to offer to her that which was comparatively so little
worth the having. To suppose that she should already "be fond of
him," should already long for him as he longed for her, was contrary
to his nature. Hitherto when he had been in her presence, he had
stood there as a man whose position in life was almost contemptible;
and though it would be unjust to him to say that he had hoped to
win her by his acres, still he had felt that his father's success
on his behalf might justify him in that which would otherwise be
unjustifiable. For the present, however, he could take no steps in
that direction. He could only suggest to himself what had already
been her answer, or what at some future time might be the answer
she would make to his rival. He had lost a father between whom and
himself there had existed ties, not only of tender love, but of
perfect friendship, and for awhile he must bewail his loss. That
he could not bewail his lost father without thinking of his lost
property, and of the bride that had never been won, was an agony to
his soul.

He had found a farm down in Norfolk, near to Swaffham, which he could
take for twelve months, with the option of purchase at the expiration
of that time, and thither he betook himself. There were about four
hundred acres, and the place was within his means. He did not think
it likely that Mary Bonner would choose to come and live upon a
Norfolk farm; and yet what other work in life was there for which
he was fit? Early in January he went down to Beamingham Hall, as
the place was called, and there we will leave him for the present,
consoling himself with oil-cake, and endeavouring to take a pride in
a long row of stall-fed cattle.

At this time the two brothers were living at Newton Priory. Ralph the
heir had bought some of his uncle's horses, and had commenced hunting
with the hounds around him; though he had not as yet withdrawn his
stud from the Moonbeam. He was not altogether at his ease, as he
had