He had already quite made up his mind to sell what property he had on the estate, and therefore, though he was much indebted to Mr.Bolton for his disinterested and kind friendship, he was hardly in want of counsel on that matter.

Mr.Bolton raised his eyebrows, but still listened patiently.

Caldigate then went on to explain his views as to life, declaring that under no circumstances--had there been no Davis--would he have consented to remain at Folking as a deputy-squire, waiting to take up his position some twenty years hence at his father's death.

Nor, even were Folking his own at this moment, would he live there! He must do something; and, upon the whole, he thought that gold-mining in the colonies was the most congenial pursuit to which he could put his hand.
Then he made a frank acknowledgment as to Davis and his gambling follies, and ended by saying that the matter might be regarded as settled.
He had certainly been successful in changing the old man's opinion.

Mr.
Bolton did not say as much, nor was he a man likely to make such acknowledgment; but when he led John Caldigate away to be introduced to his wife in the drawing-room, he felt less of disdain for his guest than he had done half an hour before.