"But what am I to do? I can't wish both ways, you know, and my father calls me his little queen, and says I shall reign here all the days of my life. I'm sure he will be very angry to hear of such wicked thoughts, Guy, so you'd better give them up this moment."
"No, I shall not do that; and can't you see, you hot-headed little thing, that it will make no difference to you? It will take a great many years to earn the money, and when I want the place, perhaps your father may find one he will like better, and if not, you shall all live here with us, as we do now with you."
"I don't believe my father would like that," said Evelyn, somewhat mollified; "so if it will take a great many years, I think I shall not tell him yet; but it seems very disagreeable of you. Perhaps he will not sell it to you, though, and what then?"
"Then I can't help it, I suppose, and I shall have to wait until—until—" Guy paused, it was a troublesome thought, "until—" when, and he could not say it.
Maude had listened in some surprise at the cool, assured tone in which her brother had spoken, but felt the dilemma into which he had worked himself, for in his zeal for his own project, he forgot for the moment the implied sorrow to others.
"See, see!" she suddenly exclaimed. "How grand! How beautiful! Towers, trees, gardens, and the flag of the Falconers waving over all!"
"Where? What do you mean?" cried Guy and Evelyn, starting up.
"There, in the air to be sure; don't you see? Guy's castle, I mean."
"Pooh!" said the boy, colouring. "What nonsense, Maude."
"More harmless nonsense than yours, dear brother, for you know it is written, 'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house.' I wish you had not had such strange thoughts, Guy."