" What I " he broke forth, " do you wish me, then,
to live in furnished lodgings, and give up the hall to
you?"

" I want, sir, only to be permitted the choice of a
profession, and, moreover, to have something guaranteed
tne to reckon upon as my own."

"An ambassadorship and five thousand pounds a-
year for life, perhaps. You are veiy modest for an
adopted son, upon my word. What do you say, now,
to my bid of one hundred and fifty pounds aryear ?"

" I say. Sir William, that I should accept it with
eagerness."

" Then, by Heaven ! you shall have it, and not a
shilling more," answered the patron. He took up his
hat and gloves, and put them on with teeth set and lips
closed, suppressing the anger that raged within him.
He left the room without another word.
188 STOEIES AND SKETCHES.
CHAPTER THE THIRD.
There were no candles alight that evening in Leon-
ard's room; for he sat at the open window with his
sister, looking out into the moonlit night, and on the
sleeping court beneath ; where the silver fountain never
ceased to plash and sing.
