s Charlecote, and the best friend the poor things have had in
the world; and you have taught them more good than I could, I'm sure; but
I never yet saw a woman who could be up to a boy, any more than she could
sail a ship.'

'Very likely not,' said Honor, with a lame attempt at a good-humoured
laugh; 'but I should be very glad to know whether you are speaking from
general experience of woman and boy, or from individual observation of
the case in point.'

The captain made a very odd, incomprehensible little bow; and after a
moment's thought, said, 'Plainly speaking, then, I don't think you do get
to the bottom of that lad; but there's no telling, and I never had any
turn for those smooth chaps. If a fellow begins by being over-precise in
what is of no consequence, ten to one but he ends by being reckless in
all the rest.'

This last speech entirely reassured Honor, by proving to her that the
captain was entirely actuated by prejudice against his nephew's gentle
and courteous manners and her own religious views. He did not believe in
the possibility of the success of such an education, and therefore was of
course insensible to Owen's manifold excellences.

Thenceforth she indignantly avoided the subject, and made no attempt to
discover whether the captain's eye, practised in midshipmen, had made any
positive observations on which to found his dissatisfaction. Wounded by
his want of gratitude, and still more hurt by his unkind judgment of her
beloved pupil, she transferred her consultations to the more deferential
uncle, who was entirely contented with his nephew, transported with
admiration of her management, and ready to make her a present of him with
all his heart. So readily did he accede to all that she said of schools,
that the choice was virtually left to her. Eton was rejected as a fitter
preparation for the squirearchy than the ministry; Winchester on account
of the distaste between Owen and young Fulmort; and her decision was
fixed in favour of Westminster, partly for his father's sake, partly on
account of the proximity of St. Wulstan's--such an infinite advantage, as
Mr. Charteris observed.

The sailor declared that he knew nothing of schools, and would take no
part in the discussion. There had, in truth, been high words between the
brothers, each accusing the other of going the way to ruin their nephew,
ending by the captain's' exclaiming, 'Well, I wash my hands of it! I
can't flatter a foolish wom