ught admirably philosophical
and coxcombi-cally imitable, an expression of the sort of thing I should
feel on hearing of Janet Ilchester's nuptials.

The daring and success of that foreign adventure of mine had, with the
aid of Colonel and Clara Goodwin, convinced the squire of the folly of
standing between me and him I loved. It was considered the best sign
possible that he should take me down on an inspection of his various
estates and his great coal-mine, and introduce me as the heir who would
soon relieve him of the task.

Perhaps he thought the smell of wealth a promising cure for such fits of
insubordination as I had exhibited. My occasional absences on my own
account were winked at. On my return the squire was sour and snappish, I
cheerful and complaisant; I grew cold, and he solicitous; he would drink
my health with a challenge to heartiness, and I drank to him heartily and
he relapsed to a fit of sulks, informing me, that in his time young men
knew when they were well off, and asking me whether I was up to any young
men's villanies, had any concealed debts perchance, because, if so--Oh!
he knew the ways of youngsters, especially when they fell into bad hands:
the list of bad titles rumbled on in an underbreath like cowardly
thunder:--well, to cut the matter short, because, if so, his cheque-book
was at my service; didn't I know that, eh? Not being immediately
distressed by debt, I did not exhibit the gush of gratitude, and my
sedate 'Thank you, sir,' confused his appeal for some sentimental show of
affection.

I am sure the poor old man suffered pangs of jealousy; I could even at
times see into his breast and pity him. He wanted little more than to be
managed; but a youth when he perceives absurdity in opposition to him
chafes at it as much as if he were unaware that it is laughable. Had the
squire talked to me in those days seriously and fairly of my father's
character, I should have abandoned my system of defence to plead for him
as before a judge. By that time I had gained the knowledge that my father
was totally of a different construction from other men. I wished the
squire to own simply to his loveable nature. I could have told him women
did. Without citing my dear aunt Dorothy, or so humble a creature as the
devoted Mrs. Waddy, he had sincere friends among women, who esteemed him,
and were staunch adherents to his cause; and if the widow of the City
knight, Lady Sampleman, aimed openly at being somethi