We will pass over the solemn sadness of the funeral at Newton and the subsequent reading of the old Squire¹'s will. As to the latter, the will was as it had been made some six or seven years ago. The Squire had simply left all that he possessed² to his illegitimate son Ralph Newton. There was no difficulty about the will. Nor was there any difficulty about the estate. The two lawyers came down to the funeral. Sir Thomas Underwood would have come but that he was prevented by the state of his arm. A statement showing all that had been done in the matter was prepared for him, but it was agreed on all sides that the sale had not been made, and that the legitimate³ heir must succeed to the property. No one was disposed to dispute the decision. The Squire's son had never for a moment supposed that he could claim the estate. Nor did Ralph the heir suppose for a moment that he could surrender it after the explanation which he had received from the lawyer in London.

The funeral was over, and the will had been read, and at the end of November the three young men were still living together in the great house at Newton. The heir had gone up to London once or twice, instigated⁴ by the necessity of the now not difficult task of raising a little ready money. He must at once pay off all his debts. He must especially pay that which he owed to Mr. Neefit; and he must do so with many expressions of his gratitude,—perhaps with some expressions of polite regret at the hardness of Polly's heart towards him. But he must do so certainly without any further entreaty⁶ that Polly's heart might be softened⁷. Ah,—with what marvellous good fortune had he escaped from that pitfall⁸! For how much had he not to be thankful to some favouring goddess who must surely have watched over him from his birth! From what shipwrecks⁹ had he not escaped! And now he was Squire of Newton, with wealth and all luxuries at command,

分享到：