in running away from a big one.

"And where is your nephew Desmond?" asked Murray.

"In Dublin, closeted every day, he writes me word, with a lawyer, poring
over papers, writing and receiving letters, and seeing witnesses. Our
friend McMahon assures me that he is certain ultimately to succeed his
father's relative, Viscount Saint Maur, a fifth, sixth, or seventh
cousin, I believe, who has died lately. Several other persons, however,
having laid claim to the title and estates, McMahon was somehow or other
induced to look into the case, and became convinced that Gerald was the
rightful heir. I thought that it was better while he was at sea not to
unsettle his mind by holding out any great prospect of success."

"I heartily hope that he will succeed," said Jack. "He is a fine young
fellow; although he has not particularly distinguished himself in the
service, I'm sure he will, should he have an opportunity. I hope he'll
stick to it even although he should become Viscount Saint Maur."

"I'm not very confident about his doing that, even should the Lords of
the Admiralty offer to promote him," said Terence, laughing. "He may
possibly imitate the example of our old school-fellow, Johnny Grant, who
had been a mate eight or ten years, when, on his coming into a title, my
lords wrote, offering at once to promote him and appoint him to a ship.
He politely replied, that though hitherto overlooked, he was bound to
thank them, but declined their noble offer. I suspect that Gerald also
will prefer remaining at home looking after his property, and probably
taking to himself a wife."

"Not one of our Australian friends?" asked Jack. "I didn't think he was
so far gone as that."

"Oh no; he is as heart-sound as ever, but an Irishman with a title and
good property is not likely to be allowed to remain in single
blessedness. If he gains his cause at the trial, which is to come off
shortly, I hope that he will come over and pay us a visit while the old
house is undergoing repairs; we shall then probably go and stay with him
during the winter. I wish that you and Murray would come and see us at
Ballymacree--including, of course, Mrs Murray and Mrs Rogers and all
your belongings. We have had the place put to rights, and I've bought
back some of the dirty acres surrounding it which my poor father let
slip through his fingers, so that it has regained some of its pristine
greatness or glory, although we do not intend to carry on