Should the governor succeed in this scheme of his, he will immediately buy back the Mainwaring estate, although he knows I don't care a rap for the whole thing, and we will then have the honor, as he considers it, of perpetuating the old family line.
On the other hand, if the property goes to the nearest heirs, it will be divided between him and his younger brother.

Uncle Harold has no more ambition than I have, and though he is at present a bachelor, that is no guarantee that he will remain one; and, anyhow, it isn't likely that there will be much of his share left when he gets through with it.

So you see how much importance the governor attached to that will." "I understand," said Scott, as his companion paused.

Then he added, musingly, "Your uncle's name seems to be rather unusual among the Mainwarings; I do not recall your having mentioned it before." "What, Harold?
On the contrary, it is the great name in our family, especially in the main line.

I would have been given that name if the governor had not been looking out for Hugh Mainwaring's money.
There was a direct line of Harolds down to my great-grandfather.
He gave the name to his eldest son, but he died, and the next one, Ralph, Hugh's father, took up the line.