"I think it would be wise. If he were my son it would be thought better that he should live here upon the property, among the people who are to become his tenants, than remain up in London, or perhaps be sent to India. He has one profession as the heir of this place, and that, I think, should be enough." "I should have but an idle life of it down here," said Bernard. "That would be your own fault. But if you did as I would have you, your life would not be idle." In this he was alluding to Bernard's proposed marriage, but as to that nothing further could be said in Bell's presence. Bell understood it all, and sat quite silent, with demure countenance;--perhaps even with something of sternness in her face. "But the fact is," said Mrs. Dale, speaking in a low tone, and having well considered what she was about to say, "that Bernard is not exactly the same as your son." "Why not?" said the squire. "I have even offered to settle the property on him if he will leave the service." "You do not owe him so much as you would owe your son; and, therefore, he does not owe you as much as he would owe his father." "If you mean that I cannot constrain him, I know that well enough. As regards money, I have offered to do for him quite as much as any father would feel called upon to do for an only son." "I hope you don't think me ungrateful," said Bernard. "No, I do not; but I think you unmindful. I have nothing more to say about it, however;--not about that. If you should marry--" And then he stopped himself, feeling that he could not go on in Bell's presence. "If he should marry," said Mrs. Dale, "it may well be that his wife would like a house of her own." "Wouldn't she have this house?" said the squire, angrily. "Isn't it big enough? I only want one room for myself, and I'd give up that if it were necessary." "That's nonsense," said Mrs. Dale. "It isn't nonsense," said the squire. "You'll be squire of Allington for the next twenty years," said Mrs. Dale. "And as long as you are the squire, you'll be master of this house; at least, I hope so. I don't approve of monarchs abdicating in favour of young people." "I don't think uncle Christopher would look at all well like Charles the Fifth," said Lily. "I would always keep a cell for you, my darling, if I did," said the squire, regarding her with that painful, special tenderness. Lily, who was sitting next to Mrs. Dale, put her hand out secretly and got hold of her mother's, thereby indicating that she did not intend to occupy the cell offered to her by her uncle; or to look to him as the companion of her monastic seclusion. After that there was nothing more then said as to Bernard's prospects. "Mrs. Hearn is dining at the vicarage, I suppose?" asked the squire. "Yes; she went in after church," said Bell. "I saw her go with Mrs. Boyce."