hese appointments,--that is to say, gentlemen hold
them, and contrive to live on them. How they do so it's not very easy to
say; but the fact is there, and not to be questioned."

This speech, a random shot as it was, hit the mark; and Maitland saw
that Tony winced under it, and he went on.

"The worst is, however, that these things lead to nothing. If a man
takes to the law, he dreams of the Great Seal, or, at least, of
the bench. If he be a soldier, he is sure to scribble his name with
'lieutenant-general' before it. One always has an eye to the upper
branches, whatever be the tree; but this messenger affair is a mere
bush, which does not admit of climbing. Last of all, it would never do
for you."

"And why not do for me?" asked Tony, half fiercely.

"Simply because you could not reduce yourself to the mere level of a
piece of mechanism,--a thing wound up at Downing Street, to go 'down'
as it reached Vienna. To you life should present, with its changes of
fortune, its variety, its adventures, and its rewards. Men like you
confront dangers, but are always conquered by mere drudgery. Am I
right?"

"Perhaps there is something in that."

"Don't fancy that I am talking at hazard; I have myself felt the very
thing I am telling you of; and I could no more have begun life as a
Cabinet postboy, than I could have taken to stone-breaking."

"You seem to forget that there is a class of people in this world whom a
wise proverb declares are not to be choosers."

"There never was a sillier adage. It assumes that because a man is poor
he must remain poor. It presumes to affirm that no one can alter his
condition. And who are the successful in life? The men who have energy
to will it,--the fellows who choose their place, and insist upon taking
it. Let me assure you, Butler, you are one of these, if you could only
throw off your humility and believe it. Only resolve to join us, and I
'll give you any odds you like that I am a true prophet; at all events,
turn it over in your mind; give it a fair consideration,--of course, I
mean your own consideration, for it is one of those things a man cannot
consult his mother upon; and when we meet again, which will not be for a
few days, as I leave for a short absence to-morrow, you 'll give me your
answer."

"What day do you expect to be back here?"

"I hope, by Saturday; indeed, I can safely say by Saturday."

"By that time I shall have made up my mind. Goodbye."

"The mind is mad