Evelyn, who was pale and worn enough when her cousin entered the room, was as white as a sheet when she replied that she believed he was right as to his being the heir of the Holmcastle estate, now that her eldest brother had been killed in battle, and her younger brother had been drowned at sea (“Rum start, that!” interpolated the visitor), so she hoped he would do as she liked, but that as, in her affliction, she could make but a poor hostess, she trusted he would excuse her company as much as possible. “Well,” was the polite rejoinder, “you must have your own way, of course; and, to tell you the truth, if you are likely to make a scene--women are _such_ fools, and always _will_ make scenes--I’d a deuced deal sooner be without you than with you. Now, by-bye for the present; and, look here, don’t forget to have something hot for luncheon. I’m not one as can put up with cold meat--cold meat be blowed, say I. And as for drink, I daresay you’ve a tolerably good tap, and anything wet will suit me.” Thus speaking, the new proprietor stalked majestically out of the room. In a minute, however, he put his head in at the door, and said, “I say, cousin, there’s one thing I forgot to say; as I’m boss now, I’ll take the old Squire’s room--I ain’t afraid of his walking, you see--and mind you have the sheets well aired, for I don’t mean to let Mrs. Tresham be a widow just yet, I can assure you.” With this agreeable speech, Mr. Tresham Potts closed the door, and again disappeared. When he was quite gone, poor Evelyn threw herself on a couch, and buried her sweet face in her white hands; but no tear did she shed, so strong was her indignation at her cousin’s heartless brutality. After some little time, she heard a gentle tap at the glass door which opened into the garden, and, looking up, she saw the kindly face of the old Rector. “My dearest girl,” he cried as he entered the room, and seizing her by both hands kissed her on the forehead--“my dearest girl, I have only this moment heard of the shameless invasion to which you have been subjected, and I came to offer you the shelter of the Rectory, and to see whether in any way I could be of any help and comfort to you. God bless you, my bairn, and be your support, for He is a very Present Help in trouble. Bear up, my child, as becomes the sister of one with whose fame all England is ringing.”