The Marquis coughed.
“I fear,” he replied, “that there will be no opportunity for anything of that sort. You must take my word for it that the land which, although fortunately unentailed, has been in the possession of my family for centuries, is in every respect desirable.”
“Moorland and boulder-strewn heath, I suppose?” Jacob queried.
“It possesses the characteristics of common land,” the other admitted. “It would make an excellent golf links.”
“Nothing doing,” Jacob decided. “When I buy an estate, I shall want a house with it.”
“A mansion suitable to your requirements could easily be built.”
Jacob shook his head.
“The idea of building a modern house in such a spot,” he said, “distresses me.”
“I understand, then, that you decline to purchase my property?” the Marquis asked regretfully.