In its modest way, Alton Lee, which stands upon the South Devonshire coast, was quite a show place. There the Rents had held their sway for the best part of three centuries, since the founder¹ of the family first came West and built the old house, which his successors had altered out of all recognition. The history of the family had been fairly uneventful. They had married with their neighbours, and more than one heiress had come along to swell² their fortunes. For the most part they had been people of moderate ideas, clean-living, healthy-minded men and women, not endowed with too much intellect, and perfectly³ contented⁴ with their lot. At present the Rents were represented by Arnold himself and his mother, an elderly lady, who was exceedingly popular with all who knew her.

 

Ever since Arnold Rent had left school his mother had been more or less afraid of him. That she was passionately⁵ devoted⁶ to her only son goes without saying; but she herself had been brought up in the simple, narrow way. She had an almost morbid⁷ horror of anything that was in the least unconventional and a mighty⁸ regard for her neighbours.

 

And her boy was totally different in every respect. The knowledge that he had an inclination⁹ for work had filled her with tranquil¹⁰ happiness and a sense of security, which, however, was not destined¹¹ to last. There being several livings in the family gift, there had been no reason why Arnold Rent should not settle down to the career of a country parson. But from the first he had other plans which in Mrs. Rent's opinion were almost revolutionary. The limited field did not appeal to a man of his views and restless energy, and with many

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