would say nothing.  His uncle had never promised him in so many words not to marry, and there would be, he thought, something ignoble in his asking his uncle not to do that which he intended to do himself without even consulting his uncle about it.  As he turned it all over in his mind he began to ask himself why his uncle should be asked to do anything for him, whereas he had never done anything for his uncle.  He had been told that he was the heir, not to the uncle, but to Buston, and had gradually been taught to look upon Buston as his right,—­as though he had a certain defeasible property in the acres.  He now began to perceive that there was no such thing.  A tacit contract had been made on his behalf, and he had declined to accept his share of the contract.  But he had been debarred from following any profession by his uncle’s promised allowance.  He did not think that he could complain to his uncle about the proposed marriage; but he did think that he could ask a question or two as to the income.

Without saying a word to any of his own family he walked across the park, and presented himself at the front-door of Buston Hall.  In doing so he would not go upon the grass.  He had told his father that he would not enter the park, and therefore kept himself to the road.  And he had dressed himself with some little care, as a man does when he feels that he is going forth on some mission of importance.  Had he intended to call on old Mr. Thoroughbung there would have been no such care.  And he rung at the front-door, instead of entering the house by any of the numerous side inlets with which he was well acquainted.  The butler understood the ring, and put on his company-coat when he answered the bell.

“Is my uncle at home, Matthew?” he said.

“Mr. Prosper, Mr. Harry?  Well, no; I can’t say that he just is;” and the old man groaned, and wheezed, and looked unhappy.

“He is not often out at this time.”  Matthew groaned again, and wheezed more deeply, and looked unhappier.  “I suppose you mean to say that he has given orders that I am not to be admitted?” To this the butler made no answer, but only looked woefully into the young man’s face.  “What is the meaning of it all, Matthew?”

“Oh, Mr. Harry, you shouldn’t ask me, as is merely a servant.”

Harry felt the truth of this rebuke, but was not going to put up with it.

“That’s all my eye, Matthew; you know all about it as well as any one.  It is so.  He does not want to see me.”

“I don’t think he does, Mr. Harry.”

“And why not?  You know the whole of my family story as well as my father does, or my uncle.  Why does he shut his doors against me, and send me word that he does not want to see me?”

“Well Mr. Harry, I’m not just able to say why he does it,—­and you the heir.  But if I was asked I should make answer that it has come along of them sermons.”  Then Matthew looked very serious, and bathed his head.