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Updated: June 29, 2025
Mr Groocock began to suspect that he had been deceived in the matter on finding that Gaffin had sailed away in the lugger, and did not return for many weeks. He confessed with a laugh when he next met the steward that he was really fond of the sea, and that whenever his business would allow him, he proposed taking a trip to indulge his fancy.
He himself seems to think so, and as Mr Groocock said to me, for his part he is ready to serve whoever has possession as faithfully as he did his old master, and if Mr Ranald is dead, and has left no sons, his younger brother must be Sir Ralph. At all events, Sir Ralph considers himself, and as such has taken possession, and gives orders as if he were, without doubt, the owner of Texford.
Sir Ralph had sat in parliament for a close borough for the last three years, and he had let it be known that he intended to stand for the county at the next general election. "Hurry on with the work, Mr Groocock, for Lady Castleton wishes to come down as soon as possible." The steward promised to see that his master's orders were executed to the best of his ability.
Sir Ralph and his family had been for some time settled at Texford, when the dame brought the news, gained from her usual source of information, Mr Groocock, that Mr Harry with another officer were daily expected at the hall.
His features were well formed and refined, without any approach to effeminacy. "Good-morrow, Mr Groocock," he exclaimed, in a clear voice, pulling up as he spoke. "Good-morrow, dame," he added, turning to Mrs Halliburt. "I was just speaking to the dame here about your wish, Mr Harry, to take a trip to sea.
He will make a kind master whoever serves him, but my head will be laid at rest before then," answered the steward, with a sigh. "However, I must be on my journey," and Mr Groocock, shaking hands with the lawyer, mounted his cob and rode back towards Texford. The family at Texford were assembled in the drawing-room.
"Ah! and a very good notion too," said Mistress Halliburt, who had great respect for the loquacious steward of Texford. "But you will excuse me, Mr Groocock, I ought to be up at the Hall. I will tell Adam of Master Harry's wish, and he will be on the look-out for him." "Here comes the young gentleman to speak for himself," said the steward.
Mr Groocock had, in the meantime, received authority from Sir Ralph to use force in expelling Miles Gaffin from the mill should he refuse to give it up, and the steward had taken steps effectually to execute his orders. He also had applied for the assistance of the military to carry them out. The day was approaching when Gaffin's lease of the mill would terminate.
"But as the Nancy will be ready to put off before I get back, I would ask you to wait till to-morrow afternoon, when she will go out for the night's fishing." Harry, well pleased at the arrangement, having wished the dame good-bye, accompanied Mr Groocock on his morning's ride. Harry got back at luncheon time to Texford, where the family were assembled in the dining-hall.
"You are perhaps not aware that though I have held the mill at Hurlston for a number of years, and have expended considerable sums in repairing it, Mr Groocock has given me notice that the rent is to be raised, and I wish to appeal to Sir Ralph against the injustice of the proceedings."
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