“Pulling it down!” I exclaimed, with indignation.

“Yes; that is, it is so untenantable—­so—­what shall I call it?—­that nobody cares to live there.”

“I hope it is not haunted?”

“Haunted!” exclaimed he, surveying me with a severe and scrutinising glance.  “What should have put that into your head?”

I was afraid I had said too much; and anxious to allay the suspicion I saw gathering in his countenance—­“Nay, uncle,” I quickly rejoined; “but you seemed so afraid of speaking out upon the matter that I thought there must needs be a ghost at the bottom of it.”

“As for that,” said he, carelessly; “the foolish farmer and his wife did hint something of the sort; but it is well known that I pay no attention to such tales.  The long and the short of it, I fancy, was, that they were tired of their bargain, and wanted me to take it off their hands.”

Here honest Gilbert entered, to say that Mr L——­, the attorney, would be glad to have a word with his master.

“Tell Mr L——­ to walk in.  We have no secrets here.  Excuse me, nephew; this man is one of our lawyers.  He has nothing to communicate but what you may hear, I dare say.  If he should have any private business, you can step into the next room.”

The attorney entering, I was introduced as nephew to Mr S——­, just arrived from the Indies, and so forth.  Standing, Mr L——­ made due obeisance.

“Sit down; sit down, Mr L——­,” cried my uncle.  “You need not be bowing there for a job.  Poor fellow, he has not much left to grease the paws of a lawyer.  Well, sir, your errand?”

I came, Mr S——­, respecting the Manor-house.  Perhaps you would not have any objections to a tenant!”

“I cannot say just now.  I have had some thoughts of pulling it down.”

“Sir! you would not demolish a building, the growth of centuries—­a family mansion—­been in the descent since James’s time.  It would be barbarous.  The antiques would be about your ears.”

“I care nothing for the antiquities; and, moreover, I do not choose to let the house.  Any further business with me this morning, sir?”

“Nothing of consequence—­I only came about the house.”

“Pray, Mr L——­,” said I, “what sort of a tenant have you in view;—­one you could recommend?  I think my uncle has more regard for the old mansion-house than comports with the outrage he threatens.  The will says, if I read aright, that the house and property may be sold, should the executor see fit; but, as to pulling it down, I am sure my father never meant anything so deplorable.  Allow me another glance at that paper.”

“Please to observe, nephew, that the will makes it mine, and as such I have a right to dispose of the whole in such manner as I may deem best.  If you have any doubts, I refer you to Mr L——­, who sits smiling at your unlawyer-like opinions.”

“Pray allow me one moment,” said the curious attorney.  He looked at the signature and those of the parties witnessing.