He still hated him, I say, as such natures always hate those who have risen triumphant above them, and he would have gloried in it if he could have hurled him from his proud position and made the whole world despise and hate him likewise; but, as long as there was any prospect of advantage to be gained for himself, he must hide it and put on the semblance of regret and future good-will. “You say that your claim is indisputably established at Wycliffe?” he asked, after he had thought these things well over. “Yes,” Earle answered, lifting his haggard face, with a heavy sigh; “everything was so clearly proved that no one could gainsay it.” “That is exceedingly fortunate. When shall you return?” “Immediately,” Earle said, with white lips. “How did you find the estates and rent-roll?” Mr. Dalton asked, with another cunning gleam in his eyes. “In a very flourishing condition,” Earle answered briefly. He was beginning to mistrust toward what these inquiries were tending. “But what will you do? You have never had any experience in managing so large a property.” “I can learn, sir.” “I know; but that would be so tedious, and you are liable to make many mistakes. You need some one older and wiser than yourself to advise you.” Mr. Dalton hesitates a moment and leans nearer Earle, eagerly searching his handsome face. But Earle sits pale and quiet, knowing, nevertheless, what is to follow, and conscious also of what the result will be. “If—if,” began Mr. Dalton, with some hesitation, “you could be—ahem!—persuaded to—to overlook the past—if we could make a treaty to bury the hatchet, and be at peace. I—I really regret, you know, all that has gone by—and if we could come to some sort of terms, I—would consent to return to Wycliffe with you, and give you the benefit of my superior judgment and advice.” Such amazing disinterestedness, such unblushing assurance was absolutely startling. A quick, hot flush mounted to Earle’s brow, and for a moment his lips trembled as if scathing and terrible words rushed unbidden there for utterance. Then he lifted his dark eyes and fixed them in a quiet, steady gaze upon the man opposite him. Sumner Dalton could not meet that gaze unmoved. In spite of his hardihood, a blush of confusion mantled his face, and his guilty look told that all sense of shame was not yet quite dead within him.