He had explained the matter to Sophia, and been annoyed at her want of enthusiasm.

She feared that any discussion relating to Harry might seriously excite and injure her father, and she could not bring herself to advise it.

But the disapproval only made Julius more determined to carry out his own views; and therefore, when the squire asked, "Where have you been ?" he told him the truth; and oh, how cruel the truth can sometimes be! "I have been to Italy." "To see"-- "Harry?
Yes." Then, without waiting to inform himself as to whether the squire wished the conversation dropped or continued, he added, "He was in a miserable condition,--destitute, with a dying wife and child." "Child! Eh?
What ?" "Yes, a son; a little chap, nothing but skin and bone and black eyes,--an Italian Sandal." The squire was silent a few minutes; then he asked in a slow, constrained voice, "What did you do ?" "Harry sent for me in order that we might discuss a certain proposal he wished to make me.

I have accepted it--reluctantly accepted it; but really it appeared the only way to help him to any purpose." "What did Harry want?
Eh?
What ?" "He wanted to go to America, and begin a new life, and found a new house there; and, as he had determined never under any circumstances to visit Sandal-Side again, he asked me to give him the money necessary for emigration." "Did you ?" "Yes, I did." "For what?
What equivalent could he give you ?" "He had nothing to give me but his right of succession.

I bought it for ten thousand pounds.