diminish that shame,--it is such a check on him. And therefore, if you
can contrive to affect to be angry with him for his extravagance, it will
do good."

"You speak like a book, and I'll try my best."

"If you threaten, for instance, to take him out of the army, and settle
him in the country, it would have a very good effect."

"What! would he think it so great a punishment to come home and live
with his parents?"

"I don't say that; but he is naturally so fond of London. At his age,
and with his large inheritance, that is natural."

"Inheritance!" said the squire, moodily,--"inheritance! he is not
thinking of that, I trust? Zounds, sir, I have as good a life as his
own. Inheritance!--to be sure the Casino property is entailed on him;
but as for the rest, sir, I am no tenant for life. I could leave the
Hazeldean lands to my ploughman, if I chose it. Inheritance; indeed!"

"My dear sir, I did not mean to imply that Frank would entertain the
unnatural and monstrous idea of calculating on your death; and all we
have to do is to get him to sow his wild oats as soon as possible,--marry
and settle down into the country. For it would be a thousand pities if
his town habits and tastes grew permanent,--a bad thing for the Hazeldean
property, that! And," added Randal, laughing, "I feel an interest in the
old place, since my grandmother comes of the stock. So, just force
yourself to seem angry, and grumble a little when you pay the bills."