“Very well, sir, it shall be assumed to have been expressed. The salary is one thousand a year. The duties are almost nominal.” “I was going to ask, my Lord, whether my education and habits are such as would enable me to discharge these duties?” “I respect your conscientious scruple, sir. It is creditable and commendable. Your mind may, however, be at ease. Your immediate predecessor passed the last thirteen years at Tours, in France, and there was never a complaint of official irregularity till, three years ago, when he came over to afford his substitute a brief leave of absence, he forgot to sign his name to certain documents,--a mistake the less pardonable that his signature formed his whole and sole official drudgery.” It was on Sewell's lips to say, “that if _he_ had not signed his name a little too frequently in life, his difficulties would not have been such as they now were.” “I am afraid I did not catch what you said, sir,” said the Judge. “I did not speak, my Lord,” replied he, bowing. “You will see, therefore, sir, that the details of your official life need not deter you, although I have little doubt the Ministerial press will comment sharply upon your absence, if you give them the opportunity, and will reflect severely upon your unfitness, if they can detect a flaw in you. Is there anything, therefore, in your former life to which these writers can refer--I will not say disparagingly--but unpleasantly?” “I am not aware, my Lord, of anything.” “Of course, sir, I could not mean what might impugn your honor or affect your fame. I spoke simply of what soldiers are, perhaps, more exposed to than civilians,--the lighter scandals of society. You apprehend me?” “I do, my Lord; and, I repeat that I have a very easy conscience on this score: for though I have filled some rather responsible stations at times, and been intrusted with high functions, all my tastes and habits have been so domestic and quiet--I have been so much more a man of home than a man of pleasure--that I have escaped even the common passing criticisms bestowed on people who are before the world.” “Is this man--this Sir Brook Fossbrooke--one likely to occasion you any trouble?” “In the first place, my Lord, he is out of the country, not very likely to return to it; and secondly, it is not in his power--not in any man 's power--to make me a subject for attack.” “You are fortunate, sir; more fortunate than men who have served their country longer. It will scarcely be denied that I have contributed to the public service, and yet, sir, _I_ have been arraigned before the bar of that insensate jury they call Public Opinion, and it is only in denying the jurisdiction I have deferred the award.” Sewell responded to the vainglorious outburst by a look of admiring wonder, and the Judge smiled a gracious acceptance of the tribute. “I gather, therefore, sir, that you can accept this place without fear of what scandal or malignity may assail you by--”