"I am staying at the Duke's Head, at Matcham; but I only arrived yesterday. I am going to settle in your neighbourhood."
"Indeed! Have you bought a place?"
"No."
"Ah, going to rent one. Wiser, perhaps, till you see how you like this part of the country."
"I have had a place left me by my uncle, Admiral Darnleigh."
"What! are you Darnleigh's heir? Yes, by-the-by, I heard that Beechhurst was left to a Mr. Carew; but I've a bad memory for names. So you have got Beechhurst, have you? I congratulate you. A charming place, compact, snug, warm, and in perfect order. Stables a trifle small, perhaps, for a hunting man."
"I am going to extend them," said Allan, with suppressed pride.
"Then you are going to do the right thing, sir. The only part in which Beechhurst falls short of perfection is in the stables. Capital stables, as far as they go, but it isn't far enough for a man who wants to hunt five days a week, and accommodate his hunting friends. Besides, the owner of Beechhurst ought to be in a position to take the hounds at a push."
"I hope it may be long before that push comes," said Allan.
"Ah, you're very kind; but I'm not so young as I was once, nor so rich as I was once—and—the Preacher says there's a time for all things. My time is very nearly past, and your time is coming, Mr. Carew. When do you establish yourself at Beechhurst?"