always would be, to his grand-uncle.

"I am so glad to find you as you are, my dear boy--just such a young man
as I had always hoped for as a son, in the days when I still had such
hopes. However, that is all past. But thank God there is a new life to
begin for both of us. To you must be the larger part--but there is still
time for some of it to be shared in common. I have waited till we should
have seen each other to enter upon the subject; for I thought it better
not to tie up your young life to my old one till we should have
sufficient personal knowledge to justify such a venture. Now I can, so
far as I am concerned, enter into it freely, since from the moment my
eyes rested on you I saw my son--as he shall be, God willing--if he
chooses such a course himself."

"Indeed I do, sir--with all my heart!"

"Thank you, Adam, for that." The old, man's eyes filled and his voice
trembled. Then, after a long silence between them, he went on: "When I
heard you were coming I made my will. It was well that your interests
should be protected from that moment on. Here is the deed--keep it,
Adam. All I have shall belong to you; and if love and good wishes, or
the memory of them, can make life sweeter, yours shall be a happy one.
Now, my dear boy, let us turn in. We start early in the morning and have
a long drive before us. I hope you don't mind driving? I was going to
have the old travelling carriage in which my grandfather, your
great-grand-uncle, went to Court when William IV. was king. It is all
right--they built well in those days--and it has been kept in perfect
order. But I think I have done better: I have sent the carriage in which
I travel myself. The horses are of my own breeding, and relays of them
shall take us all the way. I hope you like horses? They have long been