Ravenshoe. By Henry Kingsley.

150 RAVENSHOE.
"The very words."
"Then he could not have been speaking of me," said Charles.' It is possible that by some means I may not come into the property I have been led to expect; but that could not have referred
to me. Suppose I was to leave the house, penniless, to-morrow
morning, William, should I go alone? I am very strong and
very patient, and soon learn anything. Cuthbert would take care
of me. Would you come with me, or let me go alone? "
"You know. Why should I answer?"
"We might go to Canada and settle; and then Adelaide would
come over when the house was ready; and you would marry the
girl of your choice; and our boys would grow up to be such
friends as you and I are; and then my boy should marry your
girl, and — "
Poor, dreaming Charles, all unprepared for what was to come!
A carriage drove on to the terrace at this moment, with Lord
Saltire's solemn servant on the box.
Charles and William assisted Lord Saltire to alight. His lordship said that he was getting devilish stiff and old, and had been
confoundedly cut up by his old friend's death, and had felt bound
to come down to show his respect to the memory of one of the
best and honestest men it had ever been his lot to meet, in a
tolerably large experience; and then, standing on the steps,
went on -
" It is very pleasant to me to be greeted by a face I like as
yours, Charles. I was gratified at seeing your name in the'Times,' as being one of the winners of that great boat-race, the
other day. My man pointed it out to me. That sort of thing-is
very honorable to a young fellow, if it does not lead to a neglect
of other duties, in which case it becomes very mischievous; in
yours it has not. That young man is, I believe, your fosterbrother. Will he be good enough to go and find Miss Corby, and
tell her that Lord Saltire wants her to come and walk with him
on the terrace? Give me your shoulder." William ran right
willingly on his errand.
"Your position here, Charles," continued Lord Saltire, "will
be a difficult one."
"It will indeed, my lord."
"I intend you to spend most of your time with me in future.
I want some one to take care of me. In return for boring you
~all day, I shall get you the run of all the best houses, and make
a man of you. Hush! not a word now! Here comes our Robin Redbreast. I am glad I have tempted her out into the air
and the sunshine. How peaked you look, my dear! How are
you?"
Poor MIary looked pale and wan, indeed, but brightened up at