The old man had left certain outlying properties to his grandson Reginald, of which Hoppet Hall was a part.
For eight or ten years the lawsuit was continued, and much money was expended.

Reginald was at last successful, and became the undoubted owner of Hoppet Hall; but in the meantime he went to Germany for his education, instead of to Oxford, and remained abroad even after the matter was decided,--living, no one but Lady Ushant knew where, or after what fashion.
When the old squire died the children were taken away, and Bragton was nearly deserted.

The young heir was brought up with every caution, and, under the auspices of his grandmother and her family, behaved himself very unlike the old Mortons.

He was educated at Eton, after leaving which he was at once examined for Foreign Office employment, and commenced his career with great eclat.

He had been made to understand clearly that it would be better that he should not enter in upon his squirearchy early in life.