chair. It was the first word he had spoken since he had put down
young Botsey. "It wouldn't just suit me; but a man has to judge of
those things for himself."

Then there was a general rejoicing, and Mr. Runciman stood broiled
bones, and ham and eggs, and bottled stout for the entire club; one
unfortunate effect of which unwonted conviviality was that Mr.
Masters did not get home till near twelve o'clock. That was sure to
cause discomfort; and then he had pledged himself to decline
Goarly's business.



CHAPTER V

Reginald Morton


We will now go back to Hoppet Hall and its inhabitants. When the
old squire died he left by his will Hoppet Hall and certain other
houses in Dillsborough, which was all that he could leave, to his
grandson Reginald Morton. Then there arose a question whether this
property also was not entailed. The former Mr. Masters, and our
friend of the present day, had been quite certain of the squire's
power to do what he liked with it; but others had been equally
certain on the other side, and there had been a lawsuit. During
that time Reginald Morton had been forced to live on a very small
allowance. His aunt, Lady Ushant, had done what little she could
for him, but it had been felt to be impossible that he should
remain at Bragton, which was the property of the cousin who was at