They were looking at a lovely old mansion which stood on the slope of a hill. Stretching away from it were fine park-lands, and beyond these were wide-stretching woods. Looked at on that fair spring day, it was indeed a place to be proud of, to rejoice in.
"I never dreamt it was so fine!" gasped Dick.
"One of the finest places in England," was the lawyer's complacent reply.
Dick looked like one fascinated. It appealed to and satisfied him altogether.
"It's old, isn't it?"
"Three hundred years. It is said that the gardens are a wonder."
The car passed through some heavily wrought gates, and then rolled under an avenue of old trees. Dick could not speak; the thought of possessing such a place made him dumb. A few minutes later they drew up before the main entrance.
Dick was the first to leap out. He was eager to enter, to claim possession, to examine every nook and corner of his new home. He put his foot on the bottom step leading to the door, and then stopped suddenly. He felt himself rooted to the ground, felt afraid to move.
"I congratulate you again," said the lawyer. "I feel proud that I have the privilege to——"