im, and you have stood his company this whole
year--that I declare I think he must be good for something! Now you who
have looked on all his life, just say what you think of him--such a way
as he went on in last year, too--the crew that he got about him--'

'Phoebe thinks that was the consequence of his disappointment.'

'A man that could bring such a lot into the same house with that sister
of his, had no business to think of Cecily.'

'He has suffered for it, and pretty severely, and I do think it has done
him good. You must remember that he had great disadvantages.'

'Which didn't hinder his brother from turning out well.'

'Robert went to a public school--' and there she perceived she was saying
something awkward, but Sir John half laughed, and assented.

'Quite right, Miss Charlecote; private pupils are a delusion? George
never had one without a screw loose about him. Parish priests were never
meant for tutors--and I've told my boy, Charlie, that the one thing I'll
never consent to is his marrying on pupils--and doing two good things by
halves. It has well nigh worried his uncle to death, and Cecily into the
bargain.'

'Robert was younger, and the elders were all worse managed. Besides,
Mervyn's position, as it was treated, made him discontented and
uncomfortable; and this attachment, which he was too--too--I can find no
word for it but contemptible--to avow, must have preyed on his temper and
spirits all the time he was trying to shake it off. He was brought up to
selfishness, and nothing but what he underwent last year could have
shaken him out of it.'

'Then you think he is shaken out of it?'

'Where Bertha is concerned I see that he is--therefore I should hope it
with his wife.'

'Well, well, I suppose what must be must be. Not that I have the least
authority to say anything, but I could not help telling the poor fellow
thus much--that if he went on steadily for a year or so, and continued in
the same mind, I did not see why he should not ask my brother and Cecily
to reconsider it. Then it will be for them to decide, you know.'

For them! As if Sir John were not in character as well as name the
guiding head of the family.

'And now,' he added, 'you will let me come to your rooms this evening,
for Mrs. Holmby is in such displeasure with me, that I shall get nothing
but black looks. Besides, I want to see a little more of that nice girl,
his sister.'

'Ah! Sir John, if ever you do consen