I _know_, was a case in point. She expressed a positive horror of him
at their first acquaintance; and yet, I believe, she would, a few months
later, have died rather than not have married him.'

I was again about to speak, but with a smile he beckoned me into silence.

'There are two or three points you must bear in mind. One of the happiest
privileges of your fortune is that you may, without imprudence, marry
simply for love. There are few men in England who could offer you an estate
comparable with that you already possess; or, in fact, appreciably increase
the splendour of your fortune. If, therefore, he were in all other respects
eligible, I can't see that his poverty would be an objection to weigh for
one moment. He is quite a rough diamond. He has been, like many young men
of the highest rank, too much given up to athletic sports--to that society
which constitutes the aristocracy of the ring and the turf, and all that
kind of thing. You see, I am putting all the worst points first. But I have
known so many young men in my day, after a madcap career of a few years
among prizefighters, wrestlers, and jockeys--learning their slang and
affecting their manners--take up and cultivate the graces and the
decencies. There was poor dear Newgate, many degrees lower in that kind of
frolic, who, when he grew tired of it, became one of the most elegant and
accomplished men in the House of Peers. Poor Newgate, he's gone, too! I
could reckon up fifty of my early friends who all began like Dudley, and
all turned out, more or less, like Newgate.'

At this moment came a knock at the door, and Dudley put in his head most
inopportunely for the vision of his future graces and accomplishments.

'My good fellow,' said his father, with a sharp sort of playfulness, 'I
happen to be talking about my son, and should rather not be overheard; you
will, therefore, choose another time for your visit.'

Dudley hesitated gruffly at the door, but another look from his father
dismissed him.

'And now, my dear, you are to remember that Dudley has fine qualities--the
most affectionate son in his rough way that ever father was blessed with;
most admirable qualities--indomitable courage, and a high sense of honour;
and lastly, that he has the Ruthyn blood--the purest blood, I maintain it,
in England.'

My uncle, as he said this, drew himself up a little, unconsciously, his
thin hand laid lightly over his heart with a little patting motion, and his