him any pecuniary favours (always without injury to Frank), it would
gratify him more to win back some portions of the old estate of Rood,
than to have all the acres of the Sticktorights, however free from any
other incumbrance than the amiable heiress.

The squire listened to Randal with benignant attention. This wish the
country gentleman could well understand and sympathize with. He promised
to inquire into the matter, and to see what could be done with old
Thornhill.

Randal here let out that Mr. Thornhill was about to dispose of a large
slice of the ancient Leslie estate through Levy, and that he, Randal,
could thus get it at a more moderate price than would be natural, if Mr.
Thornhill knew that his neighbour the squire would bid for the purchase.

"Better say nothing about it either to Levy or Thornhill."

"Right," said the squire. "No proprietor likes to sell to another
proprietor, in the same shire, as largely acred as hinmself: it spoils
the balance of power. See to the business yourself; and if I can help
you with the purchase (after that boy is married,--I can attend to
nothing before), why, I will."

Randal now went to Egerton's. The statesman was in his library, settling
the accounts of his house-steward, and giving brief orders for the
reduction of his establishment to that of an ordinary private gentleman.

"I may go abroad if I lose my election," said Egerton, condescending to
assign to his servant a reason for his economy; "and if I do not lose it,
still, now I am out of office, I shall live much in private."