But a wretched landowner--with a few woods to sell--it is easy to victimize him!' 'It comes to a large sum,' said Elizabeth, looking down.

At last she was conscious of a real exasperation with the Squire.

For four months now she had been wrestling with him--for his own good and the country's, and everything had always to be begun again.

Suddenly her spirits drooped.
The Squire observed her furtively out of the corners of his eyes.
Then he turned to the last page of the contract, with its final figures.

His eyebrows went up.
'The man's a _fool_!' he said vehemently.