He would carry his gun across to the Home Farm, and knock over a rabbit on the way; then spend two hours looking at the Alderney cow, the roof of the pig-sty, and the poultry, and presently stroll across a corner of the wood, and shoot a pheasant.

The head of game was kept up for the purpose of letting the mansion from time to time when the squire or his lady thought it desirable to go on the Continent, that the daughter might acquire the graces of travel.

A visit to London in the season, a visit to the seaside, and then home in the autumn to peddle about the estate, made up the year when they did not go abroad.

There was a broad park, noble trees, a great mansion, a stately approach; but within it seemed all littleness of spirit.
The squire's own private study--the morning-room of the owner of this fine estate--was, as previously observed, next the passage that led to the stables, and the one window looked out on a blank wall.

It was in this room that he conducted his business and pleasure, and his art researches.
It was here that he received the famous 'Round Robin' from his tenants.
The estate was not very large--something between 3,000 and 4,000 acres--but much of it was good and fertile, though heavy land, and highly rented.