"Mr. Googe had undoubtedly a perfect right to dispute this will, Father Honore," he was saying. "But he would never have done it; I know such a thing could never have occurred to him." "That does not alter the facts of this rather peculiar case. Mr. Buzzby knows that, up to this date, my daughter and I have never availed ourselves of any rights in this estate; and he has managed it so wisely alone, during these last seven years, that now he no longer wishes to be responsible for the investment of its constantly increasing revenues. I shall never consider this estate mine--will or no will." He spoke emphatically. "Law is one thing, but a right attitude, where property is concerned, towards one's neighbor is quite another." He looked to right and left of the terrace, and included in his glance many acres of the noble estate. Father Honore, watching him, suddenly recalled that evening in the financier's own house when the Law was quoted as "fundamental"--and he smiled to himself. Mr. Van Ostend faced the two men. "Do you think it would do any good for me to approach him on the subject of setting apart that portion of the personal estate, and its increase in the last seven years, which Mrs. Champney inherited from her father, Mr. Googe's grandfather, for his children--that is if he won't take it himself?" "No." The two men spoke as one; the negative was strongly emphatic. "Mr. Van Ostend," Octavius Buzzby spoke with suppressed excitement, "if I may make bold, who has lived here on this place and known its owners for forty years, to give you a piece of advice, I'd like to give it." "I want all I can get, Mr. Buzzby; it will help me to see my way in this matter." "Then I'm going to ask you to let bygones be bygones, and not say one word to Mr. Googe about this property. He begun seven years ago in the sheds and has worked his way up to foreman this last year, and if you was to propose to him what you have to us, it would rake up the past, sir--a past that's now in its grave, thank God! Champney--I ask your pardon--Mr. Googe wouldn't touch a penny of it more 'n he'd touch carrion. I _know_ this; nor he wouldn't have his boy touch it either. I ain't saying he don't appreciate the good money does, for he's told me so; but for himself--well, sir, I think you know what I mean: he's through with what is just money. He's a man, is Champney Googe, and he's living his life in a way that makes the almighty dollar look pretty small in comparison with it--Father Honore, you know this as well as I do." The priest nodded gravely in the affirmative. "Tell me something of his life, Father Honore," said Mr. Van Ostend; "you know the degree of respect I have always had for him ever since he took his punishment like a man--and you and I were both on the wrong track," he added with a meaning smile.