In the evening of that day, Lady Martindale took occasion to converse with her son on the subject of his dependent situation, and to urge upon him the propriety of renouncing a patronage of such a mortifying nature. Her reasoning was very good, and her arguments for the most part unanswerable. It was very true that no confidence could be placed in the whims and caprices of a wealthy old humorist. He might, notwithstanding his advanced years, take it into his mind to marry. He might find out some new favourite on whom he might bestow the greatest part of his property. He would in all human probability live many years; and his capriciousness might, and most likely would, rather increase than diminish. Lady Martindale also reminded her son, that the allowance which he received from the old gentleman was barely sufficient to meet the increased expenses of so large an establishment; so that although he had the honor of living in a splendid mansion, he was rather poorer than richer by the change. To all this not a word of objection could be made; but there was an argument unnamed which had more weight with the young gentleman than all those which Lady Martindale had used. He was aware that he had so far anticipated that he must be indebted to other means than his own hereditary property, or the result of his own professional diligence, to get rid of the encumbrance. It was a truth, though a painful one, that he could never keep up his dignity but by continuing his dependence. His answers, therefore, to Lady Martindale’s persuasions, were such as gave her no hopes of success. As for returning to his profession, his own pride forbade that, and his “dread of shame among the spirits beneath.” CHAPTER XII. “----Whilst I remember Her and her virtues, I cannot forget My blemishes in them.” SHAKSPEARE.