"yes. Georgey is very fond of his grandfather."

"Then he had better stop with you. The interest of my money will be
about six hundred a year. You can draw a hundred of that for Georgey's
education, leaving the rest to accumulate till he is of age. My friend
here will be trustee, and if he will undertake the charge, I will
appoint him guardian to the boy, allowing him for the present to remain
under your care."

"But why not take care of him yourself, George?" asked Robert Audley.

"Because I shall sail in the very next vessel that leaves Liverpool for
Australia. I shall be better in the diggings or the backwoods than ever
I could be here. I'm broken for a civilized life from this hour, Bob."

The old man's weak eyes sparkled as George declared this determination.

"My poor boy, I think you're right," he said, "I really think you're
right. The change, the wild life, the--the--" He hesitated and broke
down as Robert looked earnestly at him.

"You're in a great hurry to get rid of your son-in-law, I think, Mr.
Maldon," he said, gravely.

"Get rid of him, dear boy! Oh, no, no! But for his own sake, my dear
sir, for his own sake, you know."

"I think for his own sake he'd much better stay in England and look
after his son," said Robert.