rightly, a five pound note for it. I will give you a thousand for
it sooner than be disturbed."

Hamel frowned slightly.

"I could not possibly think," he said, "of selling what was
practically a gift to my father. You are welcome to occupy the
place during my absence in any way you wish. On the other hand, I
do not think that I care to part with it altogether, and I should
really like to spend just a day or so here. I am used to roughing
it under all sorts of conditions--much more used to roughing it
than I am to staying at country houses."

Mr. Fentolin leaned a little out of his carriage. He reached the
younger man's shoulder with his hand.

"Ah! Mr. Hamel," he pleaded, "don't make up your mind too suddenly.
Am I a little spoilt, I wonder? Well, you see what sort of a
creature I am. I have to go through life as best I may, and people
are kind to me. It is very seldom I am crossed. It is quite
astonishing how often people let me have my own way. Do not make
up your mind too suddenly. I have a niece and a nephew whom you
must meet. There are some treasures, too, at St. David's Hall.
Look at it. There isn't another house quite like it in England.
It is worth looking over."

"It is most impressive," Hamel agreed, "and wonderfully beautiful.
It seems odd," he added, with a laugh, "that you should care about
this little shanty here, with all the beautiful rooms you must have
of your own."