“Ah, by-the-by, that point never struck me,” said the General. “No, it would be decidedly unjust both to yourself and your wife, Lionel, to give up the income as well as the position.” “Now you are importing a mercenary tone into the affair that is utterly distasteful to me. It looks as if I were being bribed to keep silence.” “That is sheer nonsense,” said the General. “You have but to hold out your hand to take the whole.” Lionel said no more, but went and sat down dejectedly on the sofa. “You and I must settle this matter between us,” said the General to Tom. “It is most important. It shall be my place to see that whatever is agreed upon shall be duly carried out in the arrangement between the two men. I should think that if the income were divided it would be about as fair a thing as could be done. What say you?” “I agree with you entirely,” said Tom. “The other one will have the name and position to keep up, and that can’t be done for nothing.” “Then it shall be so settled.” “There is one other point that I think ought to be settled at the same time. Who is to have Park Newton after _his_ death? Lionel may have children. _He_ may marry and have children. But, in common justice, the estate ought to be secured on Dering’s eldest child, whether the present possessor die with or without an heir.” “Certainly, certainly. Good gracious me! a most valuable suggestion. Strange, now, that it never struck me. Yes, yes: Lionel’s eldest child must have the estate. I will see that there is no possible mistake on that score.” CHAPTER X. HOW TOM WINS HIS WIFE.