To the elder was destined the father's inheritance,--to the younger the maternal property.

One house is not large enough for two heirs.

Nothing could exceed the pride of the father as a St.John, except the pride of the mother as a Vernon.

Jealousies between the two sons began early and rankled deep; nor was there peace at Laughton till the younger had carried away from its rental the lands of Vernon Grange; and the elder remained just where his predecessors stood in point of possessions,--sole lord of Laughton sole.

The elder son, Sir Miles's father, had been, indeed, so chafed by the rivalry with his brother that in disgust he had run away and thrown himself, at the age of fourteen, into the navy.