I am responsible for it all until Peter comes of age," said John, "as I am for the rest of his inheritance.

It is part of my trust to hand over to him his house and property in the best order I can, according to my own judgment.

I know something of forestry," he added, simply; "you know I was not bred a Cockney.

I was to have been a Hertfordshire squire, on a small scale, had not circumstances necessitated the letting of my father's house when he died." "But it will be yours again some day ?" "No," said John, quietly; "it had to be sold--afterwards." He gave no further explanation, but Lady Mary recollected instantly the abuse that had been showered on his mother, by her sisters-in-law, when John was reported to have sacrificed his patrimony to pay her debts.
"I rather agree with you about the woods," she said.

"It vexes me always to see a beautiful young tree, that should be straight and strong, turned into a twisted dwarf, in the shade of the overgrowth and the overcrowding.