th himself again and again;
but these arguments would never become strong till his nephew had
relieved him of his presence.

While he was so arguing, Cousin Henry was trying his hand with
Isabel. There had been but a week for him to do it, and three days
had already passed away. At the end of the week Isabel was to go to
Hereford, and Henry, as far as he knew, was still expected by his
uncle to make an offer to his cousin. And, as regarded himself,
he was well enough disposed to do so. He was a man with no strong
affections, but also with no strong aversions,--except that at
present he had a strong affection for Llanfeare, and a strong
aversion to the monotonous office in which he was wont to earn his
daily bread up in London. And he, too, was desirous of doing his
duty,--as long as the doing of his duty might tend to the desired
possession of Llanfeare. He was full of the idea that a great deal
was due to Isabel. A great deal was certainly due to Isabel, if only,
by admitting so much, his possession of Llanfeare was to be assured.

"So you are going away in two or three days?" he said to her.

"In four days. I am to start on Monday."

"That is very soon. I am so sorry that you are to leave us! But I
suppose it is best that dear Uncle Indefer should not be left alone."

"I should have gone at this time in any case," said Isabel, who would
not allow it to be supposed that he could fill her place near their
uncle.

"Nevertheless I am sorry that you should not have remained while I am
here. Of course it cannot be helped." Then he paused, but she had not
a word further to say. She could see by the anxiety displayed in his
face, and by a more than usually unnatural tone in his voice, that he
was about to make his proposition. She was quite prepared for it, and
remained silent, fixed, and attentive. "Isabel," he said, "I suppose
Uncle Indefer has told you what he intends?"

"I should say so. I think he always tells me what he intends."

"About the property I mean."

"Yes; about the property. I believe he has made a will leaving it to
you. I believe he has done this, not because he loves you the best,
but because he thinks it ought to go to the male heir. I quite agree
with him that these things should not be governed by affection. He is
so good that he will certainly do what he believes to be his duty."

"Nevertheless the effect is the same."

"Oh yes; as regards you, the effect will be the same. You will have
t