"Is bound up in Porlock:" and then the countess plumed herself; but the mother sighed. "And next to Porlock, Frank, my anxiety is about you."
"Upon my honour, aunt, I am very much obliged. I shall be all right, you'll see."
"Greshamsbury, my dear boy, is not now what it used to be."
"Isn't it?" asked Frank.
"No, Frank; by no means. I do not wish to say a word against your father. It may, perhaps have been his misfortune, rather than his fault—"
"She is always down on the governor; always," said Frank to himself; resolving to stick bravely to the side of the house to which he had elected to belong.
"But there is the fact, Frank, too plain to us all; Greshamsbury is not what it was. It is your duty to restore it to its former importance."
"My duty!" said Frank, rather puzzled.
"Yes, Frank, your duty. It all depends on you now. Of course you know that your father owes a great deal of money."
Frank muttered something. Tidings had in some shape reached his ear that his father was not comfortably circumstances as regarded money.