a vastly more respectable and important man than a fox-hunting, idle
landlord. A mill-owning Rawdon might do a deal of good in the sleepy old
village of Monk-Rawdon."

"Your sentiments are American, not English, sir."

"As I told you, we look at things from very different standpoints."

"Do you feel inclined to lift the mortgage yourself, Judge?"

"I have not the power, even if I had the inclination to do so. My
money is well invested, and I could not, at this time, turn bonds and
securities into cash without making a sacrifice not to be contemplated.
I confess, however, that if the Court has to be sold, I should like the
Tyrrel-Rawdons to buy it. I dare say the picture of the offending youth
is still in the gallery, and I have heard my mother say that what is
another's always yearns for its lord. Driven from his heritage for
Love's sake, it would be at least interesting if Gold gave back to his
children what Love lost them."

"That is pure sentiment. Surely it would be more natural that the
Mostyns should succeed the Rawdons. We have, as it were, bought the
right with at least a dozen intermarriages."

"That also is pure sentiment. Gold at last will carry the succession."

"But not your gold, I infer?"

"Not my gold; certainly not."

"Thank you for your decisive words They make my course clear."

"That is well. As to your summer movements, I am equally unable to
give you advice. I think you need the sea for a month, and after that
McLean's scheme is good. And a return to Mostyn to look after your
affairs is equally good. If I were you, I should follow my inclinations.
If you put your heart into anything, it is well done and enjoyed; if
you do a thing because you think you ought to do it, failure and
disappointment are often the results. So do as you want to do; it is the
only advice I can offer you."

"Thank you, sir. It is very acceptable. I may leave for Newport
to-morrow. I shall call on the ladies in the morning."

"I will tell them, but it is just possible that they, too, go to the
country to-morrow, to look after a little cottage on the Hudson we
occupy in the summer. Good-by, and I hope you will soon recover your
usual health."

Then the Judge lifted his hat, and with a courteous movement left the
room. His face had the same suave urbanity of expression, but he could
hardly restrain the passion in his heart. Placid as he looked when he
entered his house, he threw off all pretenses as soon as he re