"How much is it?" cried George--all too eagerly, had Maria not been unsuspicious. "Nine--let me see--yes, I think he said nine thousand pounds." George Godolphin closed the books before him, more than one of which was open, locked them up, put out the lamp, and accompanied his wife to the dining-room. "Will you let me lodge some money here to-night?" asked Mr. Hastings, as he shook hands. "As much as you like," replied George, gaily. "We can accommodate an unlimited amount." The Rector took out a large pocket-book, and counted down some bank-notes upon the table. "Brierly, the agent, brought it to me an hour ago," he observed, "and I had rather your Bank had charge of it than my house. Nine thousand and forty-five pounds, Mr. George." George counted the notes after Mr. Hastings. "I wonder Brierly did not give a cheque for it," he observed. "Did he bring the money over from Binham?" "He came over in his gig. He said it had been paid to him in money, and he brought it just as it was. I'll trouble you for a receipt, George." George carried the money away and came back with the receipt. "It must be placed to your account, I suppose, sir?" he observed. "Of course," answered Mr. Hastings. "You can't place it to the credit of the little Chisholms. It is the first time I was ever left trustee," he remarked, "and I hope it will be the last." "Why so?" asked George. "Why so? Because I like neither the trouble nor the responsibility. As soon as my co-trustee returns, the money is to be placed out on approved security: until then, you must take charge of it. It is a small sum after all, compared with what was expected." "Very small," assented George. "Is it all that the property has realized?" "Every shilling--except the expenses. And lawyers, and agents, and auctioneers, take care that they shall never be slight," added Mr. Hastings, his lip curling with the cynical expression that was sometimes seen on it. "It's their trade, sir." "Ay. What a cutting up of property it is, this forced selling of an estate, through death!" he exclaimed. "Many a time has poor Chisholm said to me, in his last illness: 'There'll be hard upon twenty thousand to divide amongst them, when it's all sold.' And there is not ten!" "I suppose everything was sold?" said George. "Everything. House, land, ricks as they stood, farming stock, cattle, and furniture: everything, even to the plate and the books. The will so expressed it. I suppose Chisholm thought it best." "Where are the children, papa?" asked Maria. "The two girls are at school, the little boy is with his grandmother. I saw the girls last week when I was at Binham." "The boy is to be a clergyman, is he not, papa?" The Rector answered the question in a tone of rebuke. "When he shall be of an age to choose, should he evince liking and fitness for the Church, then he is to be allowed to enter it. Not otherwise, Maria." "How is the property left?" asked George.