family, apparently because he was regarded as an eligible husband
for Mary, Reginald Morton was not only disgusted, but personally
offended. Being a most unreasonable man he conceived a bitter
dislike to poor Larry, who, at any rate, was truly in love, and was
not looking too high in desiring to marry the portionless daughter
of the attorney. But Morton thought that the man ought to be kicked
and horsewhipped, or, at any rate, banished into some speechless
exile for his presumption.

With Mr. Runciman he had dealings, and in some sort friendship.
There were two meadows attached to Hoppet Hall, fields lying close
to the town, which were very suitable for the landlord's purposes.
Mr. Mainwaring had held them in his own hands, taking them up from
Mr. Runciman, who had occupied them while the house was untenanted,
in a manner which induced Mr. Runciman to feel that it was useless
to go to church to hear such sermons as those preached by the
rector. But Morton had restored the fields, giving them rent free,
on condition that he should be supplied with milk and butter. Mr.
Runciman, no doubt, had the best of the bargain, as he generally
had in all bargains; but he was a man who liked to be generous when
generously treated. Consequently he almost overdid his neighbour
with butter and cream, and occasionally sent in quarters of lamb
and sweetbreads to make up the weight. I don't know that the
offerings were particularly valued; but friendship was engendered.
Runciman, too, had his grounds for quarrelling with those who had
taken up the management of the Bragton property after the squire's
death, and had his own antipathy to the Honourable Mrs. Morton and
her grandson, the Secretary of Legation. When the law-suit was
going on he had been altogether on Reginald Morton's side. It was
an affair of sides, and quite natural that Runciman and the