CHAPTER X.
LADY VERNER.
AT the extremity of the village, lying a little back from it, was a moderate-sized, red brick house, standing in the midst of lands, and called Deerham Court.

It had once been an extensive farm; but the present tenant, Lionel's mother, rented the house, but only very little of the land.

The land was let to a neighbouring farmer.

Nearly a mile beyond--you could see its towers and its chimneys from the Court--rose the stately old mansion, called Deerham Hall, Deerham Court, and a great deal of the land and property on that side of the village, belonged to Sir Rufus Hautley, a proud, unsociable man.

He lived at the Hall; and his only son, between whom and himself it was conjectured there existed some estrangement, had purchased into an Indian regiment, where he was now serving.
Lionel Verner passed the village, branched off to the right, and entered the great iron gates which enclosed the courtyard of Deerham Court.