“Nine Yorkshire jockeys knocked into one couldn’t blind him on a horse,” said young Horton.
“And I’ll lay a guinea he’ll lead in every hunting field.”
“And they do say, he’s a first-rate scholar besides.”
Such conversations regarding him were indefinitely repeated, and varied.
When he was in his eighteenth year the estate was absolutely free of every claim, and in a condition which reflected the greatest credit upon those in whose care it had been placed. It was at this time that Richard and Elizabeth took the young man into his grandfather’s room, and laid before him the title deeds of his patrimony and the schedule of its various incomes. Then, also, they told him, with infinite kindness and forbearance, the story of his father’s efforts and failures, and the manner in which the estate had been handled, so that it might be made over to him free of all debt and stain.
Harry said very little. His adopted parents liked him the better for that. But he was profoundly amazed and grateful. Then he went to Cambridge, and for three years Elizabeth did not see him. It had been arranged, however, that the whole family should meet at Hallam on the anniversary of his majority, and the occurrence was celebrated with every public festivity that had always attended that event in the Hallam family. There was nothing to dim the occasion. Every one, Far and near, took the opportunity to show that ill-thoughts and ill-feelings were forever buried, and Elizabeth and Richard were feted with especial honor.
“Few women would hev done so well by t’ land and t’ family,” admitted even Lord Eltham, “and if I wasn’t so old and feeble, I’d go and tell her so; and to be foreign-born, that Mr. Fontaine has been varry square, that he hes. He shows t’ English blood in him.”
“Ay, it’s hard to wear Yorkshire out. It bears a deal o’ waterin’, and is still strong and straight-for’ard,” answered Whaley.
“Now he’ll hev to wed and settle down.”
“He’ll do that. I’ve seen a deal o’ him, and I’ve noticed that he has neither eyes nor ears but for our little lass, a varry bonny lass she is!”