“Father?” Grace suggested.  “Well, I’m afraid he would never be economical and he likes to rule.  But I didn’t mean, Kit, that you should give him money to squander.”

“I know,” said Kit gently, although his face was rather stern.  “Adam’s legacy must not be wasted in extravagance.  Then, you see, Tarnside ought to have been Gerald’s; but he’s ruled out—­”

Grace looked up.  “Yes, Kit.  Now you have given him a fresh start, he may make a useful man, but Tarnside is not for him.”  She paused and blushed, but her glance was steady as she went on:  “It must be ours, if you buy it, for us to hold in trust—­”

She turned her head and Kit quietly touched her hair.  They were silent for a few moments and then he said, “If the estate is to be properly managed, my part will need much tact and I’m impatient now and then.  But, we would live at Ashness and your mother would understand my difficulties.”

“She would help.  Father’s old, Kit, and might be indulged.  You would try not to hurt him, and could consult him about things that didn’t matter.  I think he’d be satisfied if you let him imagine he had some control.”

Kit smiled.  “Very well; we will make the plunge.  Tell your father to do nothing until Hayes moves.  The fellow’s cunning and it might be better if he didn’t know what we mean to do.”

He bent down and kissed her and she pressed her face against his hand.  “Kit, you’re wonderful.  Things get done when you come on the scene, but perhaps you’re nicest when they’re done for me.  After all, I am an Osborn and would have hated to let Tarnside go; let’s plan what we can do when it belongs to us.”

For a time they engaged in happy talk, but Kit reopened his account books when Grace went home.  It looked as if he were about to make a rash plunge, because he would not have much money left when he had carried out his plans.  However, he could guard against the worst risks and on the whole imagined the venture ought to pay.

Some weeks later, Osborn sent for him and on reaching Tarnside he was shown into the library.  Mrs. Osborn was with her husband and there was a bundle of papers on the big table.

“I have got the particulars you wanted,” Osborn said.  “Hayes will arrive in half an hour, but that should give us time enough.”

Kit nodded.  “Yes, I want a few minutes.”

When he had studied the documents he looked up.  Tarnside would soon be his and he glanced about the library with a new curiosity.  Although the day was dark and rain beat upon the high windows, the light was strong enough to show the fine modeling of the old and shabby furniture.  It was a noble room and with well used money could be given a touch of stateliness; but there was something cold and austere about Tarnside, while Ashness was homelike and warm.  His short survey strengthened Kit’s half-conscious feeling that he belonged to the farm and not the Hall.