From the state in which Philip found Lord Martindale, it seemed very clear that anxiety of mind had the greatest share in producing his illness. That father and son should both have been living beyond their means, in order to keep up their dignity, was indeed a painful consideration; but more especially was it painful to the young gentleman, who now very strongly felt the difference between real and nominal independence. When his father was a commoner, and he himself was pursuing the studies of a profession, he thought that it would be a very fine thing to be heir to a title, and to live independent of the world. And when that long-desired and long-sought-for honor became his father's portion, then did the pride of rank take possession of the young gentleman's soul; and though the necessity for occupation was greater, the inclination to it was less. It might be tolerable for the younger sons to pursue a profession, but the heir was above it. When also the opulent patronage of Mr. John Martindale was added to the other stimulants to grandeur of feeling; and when the Hon. Philip Martindale found himself heir to a title, and probable heir to a very splendid mansion and an ample fortune, the folly of pride began to shoot forth with rank luxuriance, and the young man behaved with the greater absurdity. Very soon, however, as we have seen, did he feel the inconveniences and perplexities of his situation; and every day those inconveniences and perplexities grew more troublesome and annoying. And when old Mr. Martindale found his daughter and her family, and when he had opened his eyes to the folly of his cousin, then was the young man in a state of real and severe distress. The title also to which he once looked forward with the greatest complacency and satisfaction, now threatened to devolve upon him at a moment when it would be rather an inconvenience and an encumbrance than any very high gratification. Watching therefore with great anxiety the progress of his father's illness, and finding that no very immediate change was likely to take place, he at last determined most heroically to lead to the altar the daughter of the retired soap-boiler. Let no one cavil at our phraseology, when we say that the determination was most heroical. It was a sacrifice of very strong feeling on the part of Philip Martindale; nothing but absolute necessity could have driven him to it.