Never for a moment had a doubt that he would succeed entered his own mind, or been imparted to it from any quarter.

In the week that intervened between Mr.Verner's death and burial, he had acted as entire master.

It was he who issued orders--from himself now, not from any other--it was he who was appealed to.

People, of their own accord, began to call him Mr.Verner.Very peremptory indeed had been a certain interview of his with Roy the bailiff.

Not, as formerly, had he said, "Roy, my uncle desires me to say so and so;" or, "Roy, you must not act in that way, it would displease Mr.Verner;" but he issued his own clear and unmistakable orders, as the sole master of Verner's Pride.