The Lant property, though comparatively small, was a snug possession. Aesthetically a fair domain, it was all of it good land, and the five to six thousand acres composing it all let well. Wholly unencumbered by mortgages or annuity charges, it was estimated to bring in about 7,000 pounds a year, so that in reckoning the present incumbent a fortunate man, the neighbourhood was not far wrong. There were, however, half-forgotten hints, which the said neighbourhood would now and again let drop--hints not exactly to the credit of the present squire. For it was well known that the Rev. Dudley had inherited Lant from his uncle, not his father, and that this uncle's son was still living. CHAPTER FIVE. THE SANTOREXES OF ELMCOTE. "Now, Chickie, hurry up with the oats, and we'll go and try for a brace of trout before the sun blazes out." "Mercy on us, do let the child finish her breakfast! It's bad enough being obliged to have it twice laid, without being hurried to death, one would think." But the "child" stands in no need of the maternal--and querulous-- championship. "I'm ready, father," she cries, pushing her chair back. "Right. Get on a hat then," is the reply, in a prompt and decisive, but not ungenial tone, and the head which had been thrust through the partially opened door disappears. "That's your father all over," continued the maternal and querulous voice. "How does he know I don't want you at home this morning? But no, that doesn't matter a pin. I may be left to toil and slave, cooped up in the house, while everybody else is frisking about the fields all day long, fishing and what not--" "But, mother, you don't really want me, do you?" "--And then your father must needs come down so early, and, of course, wants his breakfast at once, and then it has to be brought on twice; and he must flurry and fidget everyone else into the bargain. Want you? No, child, I don't want you. Go away and catch some fish. If I did want you, that wouldn't count while your father did--oh, no." Yseulte Santorex made no reply. She did the best thing possible-- however, she kissed and coaxed the discontented matron, and took a prompt opportunity of escaping. One might search far and wide before meeting with a more beautiful girl. Rather above the medium height, and of finely formed frame, it needed not the smallness of her perfectly shaped hands and the artistic regularity of her features to stamp her as thoroughbred. It was sufficient to note the upright poise of her head, and the straight glance of her grand blue eyes, but surer hall-mark still, she was blessed with a beautifully modulated voice. When we add that she possessed a generous allowance of dark brown hair, rippling into gold, we claim to have justified our opening statement concerning her. Her age at this time was twenty; as for her disposition, well, reader, you must find that out for yourself in the due development of this narrative.