‘There is no question of “incumbrance.” I love the lad. I delight to see him growing happier every day, and to know that his powers are expanding in the direction best suited to them. It is not every one who can secure the pleasure of enabling an artist nature to grow and develop in a congenial soil. As to his being “a pensioner on my bounty,” excuse me, mother, I mean no disrespect when I say that I dislike that expression intensely. If you had not used those words, I should not have mentioned that Hugo knows nothing at all of this. All he knows is that I am his guardian. I let him live under the impression that I guard not only himself, but his property. And that impression must not be disturbed. I will not have his happiness embittered just when he should be able to throw aside all care for everything except his studies. He is intensely sensitive. I never approach the subject with him--you understand?’ ‘I suppose I do. But I consider it the most amazing piece of folly I ever heard of. How do you know what he may turn out?’ ‘How, indeed? At least he will have had every inducement to turn out well; and, unless I am much mistaken, he will do so. It is not only his name and lineage that is noble.’ ‘I thought you were a _Radical_’ observed Mrs. Mallory. ‘My dear mother!’ ‘That Frau von Birkenau must have been a clever woman--too clever for you, at any rate.’ ‘Please don’t say anything against her. I would as soon say anything against you as against her,’ said Sebastian, calmly; and his mother, meeting his eyes, found herself blushing for her own meanness. Such signs of sensibility are often reckoned hopeful. ‘Is he to be always here?’ she asked quickly, to cover her confusion. ‘I don’t know. He will please himself. At present England is new to him. He may enjoy it, or study it, until he gets tired of it; and then, I expect, he will go to some German musical _Conservatoire_ to study, just as he pleases. I shall give him his choice.’ ‘Humph!’ said Mrs. Mallory, with indescribable significance of tone. ‘But I repeat, he is never to be told of his position. I shall explain it all to him myself, when circumstances make it desirable. And I think you will get to like him, mother. He is the best-hearted fellow, and absolutely adores those who are kind to him. He is a perfect child in some ways.’ ‘I don’t like young men who are like children.’ ‘Well, I like Hugo. It would pain me exceedingly to have any misunderstanding with him,’ said he, with an emphasis unusual to him, as he turned again to the piano, and solaced himself with a waltz of Schubert.