" Do you know, Gregory," one of his aunts said that evening, " even putting aside the fact that you are our nephew, we are delighted that the title and estates are not to go to the next heir. He came down here about a year ago, his regiment had just returned from the Soudan. He drove straight to the hall and requested to be shown over it, saying that in a short time he was going to take possession. The housekeeper came across here quite in distress, and said that he talked as if he were already master; said he should make alterations in one place, enlarge the drawing-room, build a conservatory against it, do away with some of the pictures on the walls, and in fact he made himself very objectionable. He came on here, and behaved in a most offensive and ungentlemanly way. He actually enquired of us whether we were tenants by right or merely on sufferance. I told him that if he wanted to know he had better enquire of Mr. Tufton; and Flossie, who is more outspoken than I am, said at once that whether we were tenants for life or not, we should certainly not continue to reside here if so objectionable a person were master at the hall. He was very angry, but I cut him short by saying, 'This is our house at present, sir, and unless you leave it at once I shall call the gardener in and order him to eject you'."
" I am not surprised at what you say, Aunt, for I met the fellow myself on the way up to Omdurman, and found him an offensive cad. It has been a great satisfaction to me to know that he was so, for if he had been a nice fellow I could not have helped being sorry to deprive him of the title and estates which he has for years considered to be his."
After remaining four days at the Manor House, Gregory went back to town. A notice had already been served upon the former claimant to the title that an application would be made to the court to hear the claim of Gregory Hilliard Hartley, nephew of the late Marquis, to be acknowledged as his successor to the title and estates, and that if he wished to appear by counsel he could do so. The matter was not heard of for another three months. Lieutenant Hartley was in court, and was represented by a queen's counsel of eminence, who, however, when Gregory's narrative had been told, and the various documents put in, at once stated that after the evidence he had heard, he felt that it would be vain to contest the case at this point, but that he reserved the right of appealing should anything come to light which would alter the complexion of the affair.
The judgment was that Gregory Hilliard Hartley had proved himself to be the son of the late Gregory Hilliard Hartley, brother of and heir to the late Marquis of Langdale, and was therefore seized of the title and estates. As soon as the case was decided, Gregory went down again to Devonshire and asked his aunts to take charge for him. This they at first said was impossible, but he urged that if they refused to do so he should be driven to go back to the Soudan again.
"My dear Aunts," he said, "what in the world am I to do? I know no one; I know nothing of English customs or society; I should indeed be the most forlorn person in existence, with a large country estate and a mansion in London. I want someone to introduce me into society and set me on my legs, manage me and my house, and preside at my table. I am not yet twenty, and have not as much knowledge of English ways as a boy of ten. I should be taken in and duped in every way, and be at the mercy of every adventurer. I feel that it would be a sacrifice for you to leave your pretty home here, but I am sure, for the sake of my father, you will not refuse to do so."
His aunts admitted that there was great justice in what he said, and finally submitted to his request to preside over his house until, as they said, the time came when he would introduce a younger mistress. Zaki, when his six months' trial was over, scorned the idea of returning to the Soudan, declaring that if Gregory would not keep him he would rather beg in the streets than go back there.
" It is all wonderful here," he said; " Ave poor Arabs could not dream of such things. No, master, as long as you live, I shall stay here."
" Very well, Zaki, so be it; and I can promise you that if I die before you, you will be so provided for, tbat you will be able to live in as mucb comfort as you now enjoy, and in addition you will be your own master."
Zaki shook his head. "I should be a fool to wish to be my own master," he said, "after having such a good one at present."
Gregory is learning the duties of a large land-owner, and is already very popular in his part of Devonshire. The mansion in London has not yet been reopened, as Gregory says he must learn his lessons perfectly before he ventures to take his place in society.
THE NEW POPULAR HENTY
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