ilbert," said Mr. Grey.

Our hero did so, and James Grey followed.

Jasper stood near, and looked on.

"He isn't coming back," he said to himself. "I saw it in my father's
eyes. He won't dare to kill him, I wonder?"

The question, which should have produced a feeling of horror, only
caused a feeling of curiosity, and he walked away, in the confidence
that the dangerous foe to his prospects was to be disposed of somehow.

"It is a pleasant morning for driving," said Mr. Grey, by way of
opening the conversation.

"Yes, sir, very pleasant."

"Did you have any more trouble with Bucephalus yesterday?"

"No, sir. He has given up the contest."

"I am glad to hear it."

"How large is your estate, Mr. Grey?"

This was a simple question, but James Grey understood it as implying
curiosity on the part of our hero to learn how large a property he
could claim.

"There are about two hundred acres," he answered. "By the way, we have
not yet spoken of your claim."

"No, sir."

"I have been meaning to go to Alton to consult my lawyer. I have
delayed it longer, perhaps, than I should. To-morrow I will attend to
it, and report to you the result."

"Thank you, sir. I don't like to hurry you, but a decision is so
important to my plans in life that I should like the matter decided as
soon as possible."

"Of course, your feeling is only natural. Indeed, I have reason to feel
in the same way, for if your claim is sustained it will reduce me to
comparative poverty, and my poor boy also."

James Grey spoke with affected feeling, and Gilbert responded, quickly:

"Don't think so meanly of me, Mr. Grey, as to suppose that I should be
willing to reduce you and Jasper to poverty. I can not give up my
rights, but I will take care that you are saved from any pecuniary
want."

"Will you, indeed?" said Mr. Grey to himself, with a sneer. "Thank you
for nothing, young man; I intend to provide against that contingency
myself."

What he said aloud was something very different.

"I feel sure that in any event I can rely on your forbearance," he
said. "But the decision may be in my favor, and in that case I will not
be behind you in generosity. I will do what I can to further your
interests, though I do not promise to do as much for you as an own
son."

"Of course not, sir. I thank you for your offer."

Mr. Grey spoke so frankly and fairly--he was one of those who could
assume a virtue though he had it not--that Gilbert was parti