The fact that his aunt's
boundary line included every acre of valuable land on the plantation,
while his own poor portion only bordered the Tench, was to him simply
one of those trifling errors which sometimes occur in the partition
of vast landed estates. And although when the gift was made he felt
more than ever her loving-kindness, he could not now, on more mature
reflection and after hearing the encomiums of his friends, really see
how she could have pursued any other course.
And yet, with the sale accomplished and he rich beyond his wildest
dreams, he was precisely the same man in bearing, manner, and speech
that he had been in his impecunious days in Bedford Place. He was rich
then--in hopes, in plans, in the reality of his dreamland. He was no
richer now. The check in his pocket made no difference.
The only perceptible change was when he recounted to me his plans for
the restoration of the homestead and the comfort of its inmates. "I
shall rebuild the barns and cabins, and lay out a new lawn.
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