gning the property it would
secure him for the term of a life (Mr. Beaufort thought of his own) so
uncommonly good, to say nothing of Arthur's. At this notion, he thought
it best not to commit himself too far; drew in as artfully as he could,
until he could consult Lord Lilburne and his lawyer; and recollecting
also that he had a great deal to manage with respect to Camilla and her
prior attachment, he began to talk of his distress for Arthur, of the
necessity of waiting a little before Camilla was spoken to, while so
agitated about her brother, of the exceedingly strong case which his
lawyer advised him he possessed--not but what he would rather rest the
matter on justice than law--and that if the law should be with him,
he would not the less (provided he did not force his daughter's
inclinations, of which, indeed, he had no fear) be most happy to bestow
her hand on his brother's nephew, with such a portion as would be most
handsome to all parties.

It often happens to us in this world, that when we come with our heart
in our hands to some person or other,--when we pour out some generous
burst of feeling so enthusiastic and self-sacrificing, that a bystander
would call us fool and Quixote;--it often, I say, happens to us, to find
our warm self suddenly thrown back upon our cold self; to discover that
we are utterly uncomprehended, and that the swine who would have munched
up the acorn does not know what to make of the pearl. That sudden ice
which then freezes over us, that supreme disgust and despair almost
of the whole world, which for the moment we confound with the one
worldling--they who have felt, may reasonably ascribe to Philip. He
listened to Mr. Beaufort in utter and contemptuous silence, and then
replied only,--

"Sir, at all events this is a question for law to decide. If it decide
as you think, it is for you to act; if as I think, it is for me. Till
then I will speak to you no more of your daughter, or my intentions.
Meanwhile, all I ask is the liberty to visit your son. I would not be
banished from his sick-room!"

"My dear nephew!" cried Mr. Beaufort, again alarmed, "consider this
house as your home."

Philip bowed and retreated to the door, followed obsequiously by his
uncle.

It chanced that both Lord Lilburne and Mr. Blackwell were of the same
mind as to the course advisable for Mr. Beaufort now to pursue. Lord
Lilburne was not only anxious to exchange a hostile litigation for
an amicable lawsui