 spoken reply was: »It is very kind of you. I foresee no difficulty in
completing the removal on Monday.«
    In view of Mutimer's self-command, Hubert began to be aware that his own
constraint might carry the air of petty resentment. Fear of that drove him upon
a topic he would rather have left alone.
    »You are changing the appearance of the valley,« he said, veiling by his
tone the irony which was evident in his choice of words.
    Richard glanced at him, then walked to the window, with his hands in his
pockets, and gave himself the pleasure of a glimpse of the furnace-chimney above
the opposite houses. He laughed.
    »I hope to change it a good deal more. In a year or two you won't know the
place.«
    »I fear not.«
    Mutimer glanced again at his visitor.
    »Why do you fear?« he asked, with less command of his voice.
    »I of course understand your point of view. Personally, I prefer nature.«
    Hubert endeavoured to smile, that his personal preferences might lose
something of their edge.
    »You prefer nature,« Mutimer repeated, coming back to his chair, on the seat
of which he rested a foot. »Well, I can't say that I do. The Wanley Iron Works
will soon mean bread to several hundred families; how many would the grass
support?«
    »To be sure,« assented Hubert, still smiling.
    »You are aware,« Mutimer proceeded to ask, »that this is not a speculation
for my own profit?«
    »I have heard something of your scheme. I trust it will be appreciated.«
    »I dare say it will be - by those who care anything about the welfare of the
people.«
    Eldon rose; he could not trust himself to continue the dialogue. He had
expected to meet a man of coarser grain, Mutimer's intelligence made impossible
the civil condescension which would have served with a boor, and Hubert found
the temptation to pointed utterance all the stronger for the dangers it
involved.
    »I will drop you a note,« he said, »to let you know as soon as the house is
empty.«
    »Thank you.«
    They had not shaken hands at meeting, nor did they now. Each felt relieved
when out of the other's sight.
    Hubert turned out of the street into a road which would lead him to the
church, whence there was a field-path back to the Manor. Walking with his
