e colour flushed into his cheeks as he said, 'True! It may have a
considerable effect in my favour. Thank you for telling me;' and then
paused, as though considering whether to volunteer more, but as yet her
manner was not encouraging, but had all the dryness of effort.

'I have another reason for speaking,' she continued. 'It is due to you
to warn you that the estate wants looking after. I am unequal to the
requirements of modern agriculture, and my faithful old bailiff, who was
left to me by my dear cousin, is past his work. Neither the land nor the
people are receiving full justice.'

'Surely Sandbrook could find a trustworthy steward,' returned the young
man.

'Nay, had you not better, according to his suggestion, come and live on
the estate yourself, and undertake the management, with an allowance in
proportion to your position as the heir?'

Her heart beat high with the crisis, and she saw his colour deepen from
scarlet to crimson as he said, 'My engagement with Mr. Currie--'

'Mr. Currie knows the state of things. Owen Sandbrook has been in
communication with him, and he does not expect to take you back with him,
unless you prefer the variety and enterprise of your profession to
becoming a country gentleman of moderate means.' She almost hoped that
he would, as she named the rental and the proposed allowance, adding,
'The estate must eventually come to you, but it is for you to consider
whether it may not be better worth having if, in the interim, it be under
your superintendence.'

He had had time to grow more familiar with the idea, and spoke readily
and frankly. 'Indeed, Miss Charlecote, I need no inducement. It is the
life I should prefer beyond all others, and I can only hope to do my duty
by you, and whatever you may think fit to intrust to me.' And, almost
against her will, the straightforward honesty of his look brought back to
her the countenance where she had always sought for help.

'Then your past misfortunes have not given you a distaste to farming?'

'They did not come from farming, but speculation. I was brought up to
farm work, and am more at home in it than in anything else, so that I
hope I could be useful to you.'

She was silent. Oh, no; she had not the satisfaction of being
displeased. He was ready enough, but not grasping; and she found herself
seeing more of the Charlecote in him, and liking him better than she was
ready to grant.

'Miss Charlecote,' he said after a