He was the heir, and in a very few years would be the owner of everything.

In order to keep him straight, to save him from debts, to protect him from money-lenders, and to secure the family standing and property till he should have made things stable by having a wife and heir of his own, all manner of indulgence must be shown him.

She quite understood that such a horse must be ridden with a very light hand.

She must put up with slang from him, though she would resent it from any other human being.

He must be allowed to smoke in his bed-room, to be late at dinner, to shirk morning prayers,--making her only too happy if he would not shirk Sunday church also.