There seemed to be something terribly cold in this. It might be better that they should part,--better even, though the parting should be for ever. It might be right;--nay, he knew that it was right that he should be thrust out of the inheritance. He had spent money that was not his own, and, of course, he must pay the debt. But that his father should sit there in his chair on his entrance, not even rising to greet him, and should refer at once to Mr. Bolton and that business arrangement, as though that, and that alone, need now be discussed, did seem to him to be almost cruel. Of all that his father had suffered in constraining himself to this conduct, he understood nothing. 'Mr. Bolton made himself very plain, sir.' 'He would be sure to do so. He is a man of business and intelligent. But as to the terms proposed, were they what you had expected?' 'Quite as good as I had expected.' 'Whether good or bad, of course you will understand that I have had nothing to do with them. The matter has been referred to two gentlemen conversant with such subjects; and, after due inquiry, they told Mr. Bolton what was the money value of your rights. It is a question to be settled as easily as the price of a ton of coals or a joint of beef. But you must understand that I have not interfered.' 'I am quite aware of that, sir.' 'As for the money, something over a third of it is in my own hands. I have not been extravagant myself, and have saved so much. The remainder will come out of Mr. Bolton's bank, and will be lent on mortgage. I certainly shall not have cause for extravagance now, living here alone; and shall endeavour to free the estate from the burden by degrees. When I die, it will, in accordance with my present purpose, go to your cousin George.' As this was said, John thought he perceived something like a quiver in his father's voice, which, up to that point, had been hard, clear, and unshaken. 'As to that, however, I do not intend to pledge myself,' he continued. 'The estate will now be my own, subject to the claim from Messrs. Bolton's bank. I don't know that there is anything else to be said.' 'Not about business, sir.' 'And it is business, I suppose, that has brought you here,--and to Cambridge. I do not know what little things you have of your own in the house.' 'Not much, sir.' 'If there be anything that you wish to take, take it. But with you now, I suppose, money is the only possession that has any value.' 'I should like to have the small portrait of you,--the miniature.' 'The miniature of me,' said the father, almost scoffingly, looking up at his son's face, suspiciously. And yet, though he would not show it, he was touched. Only if this were a ruse on the part of the young man, a mock sentiment, a little got-up theatrical pretence,--then,--then how disgraced he would be in his own estimation at having been moved by such mockery!