For years before his introduction to our readers, he was the practical manager of the estate; and so judiciously did he regulate his own fortunes on it, that without any shameless or illegal breach of honesty, he actually contrived to become a wealthy man, and to live in a respectable manner.

Much, however, will have more, and Val was rapacious.

On finding himself comparatively independent, he began to take more enlarged, but still very cautious measures to secure some of the good things of the estate to him and his.

This he was the better able to do, as he had, by the apparent candor of his manner, completely wormed himself into the full confidence of the head agent--a gentleman of high honor and integrity, remarkable alike for humanity and benevolence; but utterly without suspicion.

Two or three farms, whose leases dropped, he most iniquitously took into his own hands, and so far wheedled the agent, that he induced that gentleman to think he was rendering a service to the property by doing so.