Templeton was startled; he half shaded his face with his hand, and gazed searchingly upon the high forehead and bold eyes of his nephew. "I believe you are sincere," said he, after a pause. "You may well believe so, sir." "Well, I will think of this. I like an honourable ambition--not too extravagant a one,--/that/ is sinful; but a /respectable/ station in the world is a proper object of desire, and wealth is a blessing; because," added the rich man, taking another slice of the pineapple,--"it enables us to be of use to our fellow-creatures!" "Sir, then," said Ferrers, with daring animation--"then I avow that my ambition is precisely of the kind you speak of. I am obscure, I desire to be reputably known; my fortune is mediocre, I desire it to be great. I ask you for nothing--I know your generous heart; but I wish independently to work out my own career." "Lumley," said Templeton, "I never esteemed you so much as I do now. Listen to me--I will confide in you; I think the government are under obligations to me." "I know it," exclaimed Ferrers, whose eyes sparkled at the thought of a sinecure--for sinecures then existed! "And," pursued the uncle, "I intend to ask them a favour in return." "Oh, sir!" "Yes; I think--mark me--with management and address, I may--" "Well, my dear sir!" "Obtain a barony for myself and heirs; I trust I shall soon have a family!" Had somebody given Lumley Ferrers a hearty cuff on the ear, he would have thought less of it than of this wind-up of his uncle's ambitious projects. His jaws fell, his eyes grew an inch larger, and he remained perfectly speechless. "Ay," pursued Mr. Templeton, "I have long dreamed this; my character is spotless, my fortune great. I have ever exerted my parliamentary influence in favour of ministers; and, in this commercial country, no man has higher claims than Richard Templeton to the honours of a virtuous, loyal, and religious state. Yes, my boy,--I like your ambition--you see I have some of it myself; and since you are sincere in your wish to tread in my footsteps, I think I can obtain you a junior partnership in a highly respectable establishment. Let me see; your capital now is-- "Pardon me, sir," interrupted Lumley, colouring with indignation despite himself; "I honour commerce much, but my paternal relations are not such as would allow me to enter into trade. And permit me to add," continued he, seizing with instant adroitness the new weakness presented to him--"permit me to add, that those relations, who have been ever kind to me, would, properly managed, be highly efficient in promoting your own views of advancement; for your sake I would not break with them. Lord Saxingham is still a minister--nay, he is in the cabinet." "Hem--Lumley--hem!" said Templeton, thoughtfully; "we will consider--we will consider. Any more wine?" "No, I thank you, sir."