And now Allen had become son and heir, and
was treated by everyone as the only person of importance. Bobus did
not know what his own claims might be, but at any rate his brother's
would transcend them, and his temper was thoroughly upset.
Poor Caroline! She did not wholly omit to pray "In all time of our
tribulation, in all time of our wealth, deliver us!" but if she had
known all that was in her children's hearts, her own would have
trembled more.
And as to Ellen, the utmost she allowed herself to say was, "Well, I
hope she will make a good use of it!"
While the Colonel, as trustee and adviser, had really a very
considerable amount of direct importance and enjoyment before him,
which might indeed be-—to use his own useful phrase—-"a fearful
responsibility," but was no small boon to a man with too much time on
his hands.
CHAPTER XVI. POSSESSION.
Vain glorious Elf, said he, dost thou not weete
That money can thy wants at will supply;
Shields, steeds and armes, and all things for thee meet,
It can purvey in twinkling of an eye.
Spenser.
Bobus's opinion that it would be long before anything came of this
accession of wealth was for a few days verified in the eyes of the
impatient family, for Christmas interfered with some of the necessary
formalities; and their mother, still thinking that another will might
be discovered, declared that they were not to go within the gates of
Belforest till they were summoned.
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