"I am glad to meet you, Mr. Grey," said Jasper, advancing with a smile, and speaking in a soft voice. "I have scarcely any companions of my own age, and I shall enjoy your society."
"Thank you," said Gilbert; "I am much obliged to you for your kind reception. I don't think we shall be strangers long."
They talked on various subjects till the bell rang for dinner. No fault could be found with Jasper's manner, which was extremely cordial; yet Gilbert, he could not tell why, was not attracted to his cousin.
CHAPTER XXX.
DECEITFUL HOSPITALITY.
Jasper was now thoroughly enlisted in his father's plans. Almost any boy of his age would have shuddered at the prospect of a violent death which, through the united agency of his father and himself, impended over his young guest. But Jasper was thoroughly selfish, and what his father had communicated to him had inspired in him a feeling of alarm. He could not endure the thought of surrendering his inheritance to Gilbert, and was ready, young as he was, to go to any extremity rather than to do it.
According to the suggestion his father had made, when dinner was over, at which both Jasper and his father had exerted themselves to be particularly agreeable, the former, turning to his cousin, said:
"If you like, I will take you out in the carriage. You might like to see something of the country round here."
"I should like it very much," said Gilbert, "but I hope you won't put yourself to too much trouble."
"It will be no trouble. I shall enjoy driving with some one who is new to the country. It is dull work driving alone."