"
"Of course that makes a difference," Ralph agreed; "it certainly
didn't seem nice that Mabel and I, who are no relation by blood to Mr.
Penfold, should come into the property that his sisters expected would
be theirs. But, of course, now you explain it, it is different."
"I do not think in any case, Ralph, Mr. Penfold would have left his
fortune to his sisters. He was a man very averse to exerting his own
will, and I am sure that he submitted to, rather than liked, his
sisters' residence at the Hall. I know that he considered, and justly,
that they had once committed a cruel wrong upon him, and had in a way
spoiled his life. I question whether he really ever forgave them."
"I see, mother," Ralph said. "Well, now, about myself; I should think
there can be no occasion for me to continue in the army unless I
like?"
"I hope you won't like, Ralph. In the first place I want to have you
with me; and in the second, you will be a large landowner, and
property has its duties."
"Well, there is no necessity to decide about that at present. The
doctor said yesterday I should certainly get three months' sick leave
before I rejoined. By all we hear the fighting is at an end, and there
is no fear whatever that Napoleon will have it in his power to cause
trouble in the future. They will take care of that, whatever they do
with him.
Pages:
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475