Alvar, as his father had done before him, inherited the estate free from debt or mortgage, with such an income as sounded to his Spanish notions magnificent; but which those better versed in English expenditure knew would find ample employment in all the calls of such a place as Oakby. It was quite sufficient for the position, but no more. The estate, of course, still remained chargeable with old Mrs Lester’s jointure. Mr Lester had enjoyed the interest of his wife’s fortune during her life, the bulk of which had come to her from an aunt, and was secured to her daughter; her three sons succeeding to five thousand pounds apiece, and for this money Judge Cheriton, and a certain General Fleming, a relation of the Cheritons, were joint trustees. So the will, made almost as soon as Mr Lester inherited the property, had stood, and indeed most of its provisions had been made by his father. Since his illness, however, a codicil had been added, stating that Mr Lester had intended to leave the small amount of ready money at his disposal equally among his three younger sons, but that now he decided to leave the whole to Cheriton, “whose health might involve him in more expenses, and prevent him from using the same exertions as his brothers.” He also joined his two elder sons, with their uncle, Judge Cheriton, in the personal guardianship of John, Robert, and Annette. There were a few gifts and legacies to servants and dependants, and that was all.
“Nothing,” remarked Judge Cheriton, after a pause, “could be more proper than this decision with regard to Cheriton, though we hope its necessity has passed away; but under the very peculiar circumstances every one has felt that it would have been well if a somewhat larger proportion of his mother’s fortune could have come to him.”
“Of course,” said Jack, “it is all right.”
“But my father might have trusted him to me,” said Alvar.
“Such things should always be in black and white,” said the judge. “Your father has shown marked confidence both in you and in Cheriton by giving you a share in the charge of the younger ones, and this desire will, of course, naturally affect our arrangements for them. Annette’s home at least must be fixed by her grandmother’s.”
“But my grandmother will stay here,” said Alvar, in a tone of surprise. “Why should she change? It will be all the same. And the boys too, and my sister, and Cheriton—of course—we must be together.”
He spoke warmly, and crossing over to Cheriton, took his hand as he spoke.
“This is your home, my brother, always.”
“You are very good to us, Alvar, thank you,” said Cheriton, hardly able to speak.
“Most kind,” said the judge; “whatever may be decided on, your offer is suggested by a most proper feeling, of which I hope all are sensible.”