"
"There is no harm in building your house, Steve. If father should die,
mother and I would be here upon Harry's sufferance. He might leave the
place in our care, he might bring his wife to it any day."
"And how could you live with her?"
"It would be impossible. I should feel as if I were living with my
father's--with the one who really gave father the death-blow."
So when Julius and Sophia arrived at Seat-Sandal, the walls of Latrigg
Hall were rising above the green sod. A most beautiful site had been
chosen for it,--the lowest spur on the western side of the fell; a
charming plateau facing the sea, shaded with great oaks, and sloping
down into a little dale of lovely beauty. The plan showed a fine central
building, with lower wings on each side. The wide porches, deep windows,
and small stone balconies gave a picturesque irregularity to the general
effect. This home had been the dream of Stephen's manhood, and Ducie
also had urged him to its speedy realization; for she knew that it was
the first step towards securing for himself that recognition among the
county gentry which his wealth and his old family entitled him to. Not
that there was any intention of abandoning Up-Hill. Both would have
thought such a movement a voluntary insult to the family wraiths,--one
sure to bring upon them disaster of every kind. Up-Hill was to be
Ducie's residence as long as she lived; it was to be always the home of
the family in the hot months, and thus retain its right as an integral
part and portion of the Latriggs' hearth.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197