text:  In consequence of these groundless representations it transpired in the country that the decayed baronet had actually volunteered the offer of the estate to the veteran proprietor of Stanley Manor; that he had _solicited_ him to become the proprietor and even accommodated him with peculiar facilities of payment on condition of his inserting in the title-deeds an express undertaking never to dispose of the old Hall or any portion of the property to Jonas Sparks of Lexley Park or his heirs for ever