Rhoda Fleming -- Volume 4

thed some of the dry stock of wisdom on it. Many times Edward rose to go; and Sir William signalled with his finger that he should stay: an impassive motion, not succeede

son had told him, reiterating it in language special and exact as that of a Chancery barrister unfolding his case to the presiding judge, that he had deceived and wronged an under-bred girl of the humbler classes; an

understood that he had never known this young man, and dealt virtually with a stranger

s had always been too clearly in order: and of what avail was it to repeat great and honoured prudential

f advice you have adopted too literally. I qu

icularly sparing when I sat in the high seat. 'Non

ture sagacity, I suppose. By the same rule, your cousin Alge

His father will not have de

in the bitterness of his reflections, a hue of triumph on the sleep of his b

k his limbs

d, not without some instigation to sternness from this di

e would be restricted; and in the second, that hi

notion myself," he said; and his brea

you, I would advise you to see very l

the London world open to me, I should scarcely have been capable of serious work. The precious metal, which is Knowledge, sir, is only to be obtained

d his father, with a sardonic

ward warmed as he spoke. "I am ready to bear it. I dislike poverty; but, as I say, I am ready to bear it. Come, sir; you did me the honour o

sked for the small change every ten minutes. I am aware of the philosophic truth, that we get nothing in life for which we don't pay. The point is, to appreciate

character of my vocation there. No, sir; my deeper wish is that you may accept my view of the sole course left to a ma

ir William, not displeased b

ply the absence of emotion in the speaker; but rather that his imagination is excited by his theme, and that he

seduced into colloquy,-"an eternal broad grin is

fficult for me to smile. Sir, I pray that you will listen to me seriously, though my language

, I certainly do not,"

l of my experience, as she, prompted by her instinct and her faith in me, confided hers to mine,-perhaps, even if you persist in accusing me of rashness, you will allow that she must be in the possession of singularly feminine and estimable qualities. I deceived her. My object in doing so was to spare you. Those consequences followed wh

ine have anticipated you by noting i

d bowed, but he smarted. "A man so situat

think you should establish the personality before you

e orator not to seize the emotions and subdue the humanity of his hearers first. Edward perceived his mistake. He had, however, done well in making a show of the unabated vigour of his wits. Contempt did not dwell in the baro

igures of speech m

iously; "the figure I alluded to was not in

d believe in witchcraft now. Brutal selfishness is the phrase for my conduct. I have found out my villany. I have not done a day's sensible work, or had a single clear thought, since I parted from her. She has had brain-fever. She has been in the hospital. She is now prostrate with misery. While she suffered, I-I can't look back on myself. If I had

ry other woman vexed me. This one alone gives me peace, and nerve to work. If I did not desire to work, should I venture to run the chances

men on any question, although I go to other shores, and may be called upon to make capital out of opposition. They are admirable young persons, no doubt. I do not offer you a drab for your daughter-in-law, sir. If I rise, she will be equal to my stat

ill know that I have obeyed my best instinct and my soundest judgement in this matter; I need not be taught, that if it is my destiny to leave Engl

ich had been educated to delight in acute antithesis and culminating sentences-the grand Biscayan billows of rhetorical utterance, in comparison w

, suitable to your estate, that will be arranged. You must have what comforts you have

ward, not conceiving any

em for Mrs. Lovel

laughed slightly-"you will think I want everybody to be married and

will detain you no longer. It is a quarter to fi

rs a petition for Sherry. He is beginning to discern

me down to him when he has done

er, then. Good

Sir William shoo

said, sniffing the morning air gratefully, and eyeing certain