FROM MODEST LONDON CLERK -- TO WEALTHY MANOR SQUIRE

Here is one of Anthony Trollope's most critically successful novels, received well by his contemporaries, and yet experimental enough in execution to be almost "modern."

Henry Jones is just a modest, callow fellow in a meek clerking job in London, when he is summoned by his Uncle Indefer.

Indefer Jones is the squire of an estate named Llanfeare in Wales. He's dying. He'd like to bequeathe his manor and holdings to his beloved niece Isobel Brodrick -- but tradition dictates he will his land to a male relative with his name -- Jones.

Both Indefer and Isobel dislike Cousin Henry. Squire Jones goes ahead with his plan for his Last Will and Testament -- but at the last moment changes his heir to Isobel. But Squire Jones dies before the will sees the light of day. Cousin Henry inherits -- but then discovers the document in the library.

Will he have the nerve to destroy the will before lawyers -- and Isobel -- find it?