'
"'And only seventeen! Capital soil, promising good crops. What would you
have more?'
"'A very pretty estate, uncle, if it were not the estate of matrimony. I
am sorry, very sorry, to disappoint you; but I must decline taking a
lease of it for life.'
"'Then, sir, allow me to hint to you that in my testament you are only
tenant-at-will. I consider it a duty that I owe to the family, that the
estate should be re-united. That can only be done by one of our family
marrying Miss Percival; and, as you will not, I shall now write to your
cousin James, and if he accept my proposal, shall make _him_ my heir.
Probably he will more fully appreciate the advantages of five thousand
acres in a ring-fence.'
"And Mr Ponsonby directed his steps towards the door.
"'Stop, my dear uncle,' cried William, rising up from his easy-chair;
'we do not quite understand one another. It is very true that I would
prefer half the property and remaining single to the two estates and the
estate of marriage; but, at the same time I did not tell you that I
would prefer beggary to a wife and five thousand acres in a ring-fence.
I know you to be a man of your word;--I accept your proposal, and you
need not put my cousin James to the expense of postage.'
"'Very good, William; I require no more: and as I know you to be a man
of your word, I shall consider this match as settled. It was on this
account only that I sent for you, and now you may go back again as soon
as you please. I will let you know when all is ready.
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