Now it fortunately happened just at this critical moment, that a living in the gift of Mr. Martindale fell vacant. It was the immediate impulse of the old gentleman's mind to present Mr. Henderson to that living; and he also thought at the very same moment how very strange it was that of all that host of people of fashion and opulence who attended Mr. Henderson's chapel, not one of them should ever have given him a living. But the wonder a little abated, when a host of applications and recommendations, backed and seconded by most powerful considerations, came rushing in upon him. Among the rest was one from Lord Martindale himself, not so much supplicating for the living, as reminding Mr. Martindale that as Trimmerstone was now vacant, it might be desirable to place some one there to keep it till Robert Martindale, who was now just going to the university, should be of age to take it. There was also another application from a person of higher rank and greater influence in the world, who accompanied his recommendation with a hint that if gratified in this request, he might in his turn be of some service to Lord Martindale's family. The motive to provide for one's own family or connexions is certainly much stronger than the motive to provide for a stranger; but the motive of caprice or crotchet is as powerful as any motive that can rule the human heart. There was a considerable struggle in the old gentleman's mind, but the motive of caprice was the strongest. He had wealth enough to provide for his family as well as they could expect to be provided for, and as for government patronage he needed it not for himself or for any of his relatives. He certainly did feel some gratitude, though he would hardly acknowledge it, for the title by which the name of Martindale became ennobled. As to Robert Martindale, he thought that it would be quite as well to wait a little longer before any steps were to be taken in his behalf. On this principle he wrote a note to Lord Martindale, stating that he would not forget to provide in due time for the establishment of his family, but that he did not approve of the practice of keeping livings in reserve for young men who were not old enough to know their own minds. The note concluded with an abundance or superabundance of protestations on the part of the old gentleman; and requesting that Lord Martindale would have the goodness to acknowledge the receipt of the note, and to express his acquiescence in its principle.