connection, such as ours. But you must remember that a good fortune was
left me by my uncle, and a large one by my father."

"I know. The proceeds of lawyering also."

"Not altogether. My mother brought a fortune on her marriage, and it
enabled my father to speculate successfully. I have been looking out for
an eligible property to invest my money upon, and East Lynne will suit
me well, provided I can have the refusal of it, and we can agree about
the terms."

Lord Mount Severn mused for a few moments before he spoke. "Mr.
Carlyle," he began, "my affairs are very bad, and ready money I must
find somewhere. Now East Lynne is not entailed, neither is it mortgaged
to anything like its value, though the latter fact, as you may imagine,
is not patent to the world. When I bought it at a bargain, eighteen
years ago, you were the lawyer on the other side, I remember."

"My father," smiled Mr. Carlyle. "I was a child at the time."

"Of course, I ought to have said your father. By selling East Lynne, a
few thousands will come into my hands, after claims on it are settled; I
have no other means of raising the wind, and that is why I have resolved
to part with it. But now, understand, if it were known abroad that East
Lynne is going from me, I should have a hornet's nest about my ears; so
that it must be disposed of _privately_. Do you comprehend?"

"Perfectly," replied Mr. Carlyle.

"I would as soon you bought it as anyone else, if, as you say, we can