t he puts no value on soft words, do not on that
account be deterred from making any civil speeches you may have
ready. He will not be a bit stronger than another because he boasts
of his strength."

"I really think you would find it difficult to flatter your brother."

"Perhaps so; and therefore I should set about it with the more care.
But, were I in your shoes, I should not attempt flattery; I should be
very submissive rather. He always loved to play the tyrant."

"And I do not love to play the slave."

"An only nephew's slavery would probably be of a very mild
description."

"Yes; no harder than sitting on a clerk's stool in a merchant's
counting-house for seven or eight hours a day."

"That would be an unendurable bore as a continuance; but take my word
for it, George, if you could bring yourself to do it for six months,
by the end of that time you would have the game in your own hands."

"At any rate, I shall not try it, sir."

"Well, you are your own master: I can only say that the temptation
would be too strong for most men. I have not the slightest doubt that
if you would give way to him for six months, two years would see you
in Parliament." Sir Lionel had already ascertained that to sit in the
House of Commons was the dearest object of his son's ambition.

On the evening of that day, as they were drinking their coffee and
smoking together, Sir Lionel for the first time spoke to his son on
another matter. "George," said he, "I don't know whether there was
anything in it, but when we were at Jerusalem, I thought you were
very sweet on Caroline Waddington."

George blushed deeply, and affected to laugh.

"She was certainly a very fine girl," continued his father; "I think
as handsome a girl as I have seen these ten years. What a shoulder
and neck she had! When you used to be dragging her up the Mount
of Olives, I could not but think there was more in it than mere
scripture geography--eh, George?"

George merely laughed, and looked rather like a simpleton.

"If you were not in love with her, I can only say that you ought to
have been. I was, I know."

"Well, sir, I believe she is free as yet; you can try your chance if
you have a mind."

"Ah! I would I could. If I knew Medea's secret, I would have myself
chopped and boiled that I might come out young on her behalf; but,
George, I can tell you something about her."

"Well, sir!"

"I would have told you then, when we were at Jerusalem, but we