he
had not the right to dispose of her property otherwise; and such being
the case, it was a duty to make him aware of his prospects, and offer him
such a course as should best enable him to take his future place in the
county. Still it was a severe struggle. Even with her sense of
insufficiency, it was hard to resign any part of the power that she had
so long exercised; she felt that it was a risk to put her happiness into
unknown hands, and perhaps because she had had this young man well-nigh
thrust on her, and had heard him so much lauded, she almost felt
antagonistic to him as rival of Owen, and could have been glad if any
cause for repudiating him would have arisen. Even the favour that he had
met with in Phoebe's eyes was no recommendation. She was still sore at
Phoebe's want of confidence in her; she took Mervyn's view of his
presumption, and moreover it was another prize borne off from Owen. Poor
dear Honor, she never made a greater sacrifice to principle than when she
sent her William off to Normandy to summon her Edgar Atheling.

She did not imagine that she had it in her to have hated any one so much.

Yet, somehow, when the bright, open face appeared, it had the kindred,
familiar air, and the look of eagerness so visibly fell at the sight of
her alone in the carriage, that she could not defend herself from a
certain amusement and interest, while she graciously desired him to get
in, and drive with her round the Park, since she had something to tell
him that could not be said in a hurry. Then as he looked up in inquiry,
suspecting, perhaps, that she had heard of his engagement, she rushed at
once to the point.

'I believe you know,' she said, 'that I have no nearer relation than
yourself?'

'Not Sandbrook?' he asked, in surprise.

'He is on my mother's side. I speak of my own family. When the Holt
came to me, it was as a trust for my lifetime to do my best for it, and
to find out to whom afterwards it should belong. I was told that the
direct heir was probably in America. Owen Sandbrook has convinced me
that you are that person.'

'Thank you,' began young Randolf, somewhat embarrassed; 'but I hope that
this will make little difference to me for many years!'

Did he underrate the Holt, the wretch, or was it civility? She spoke a
little severely. 'It is not a considerable property, but it gives a
certain position, and it should make a difference to you to know what
your prospects are.'

Th