“Just as you mean to act now,” said Fossbrooke, promptly. “And how may that be, sir?” “By refusing all assistance to such party warfare; at least, my Lord Chief Baron, it is thus that I read your character.” “You do me justice, sir; and it is my misfortune that I have not earlier had the inestimable benefit of your friendship. I trust,” added he, haughtily, “I have too much pride to be made the mere tool of a party squabble; and, fortunately, I have the means to show this. Here, sir, is a letter I have just received from the Prime Minister. Read it,--read it aloud, Haire and my son will like to hear its contents also.” “Downing Street, Tuesday evening. “My dear Lord Chief Baron,--It is with much pleasure I have to communicate to you that my colleagues unanimously agree with me in the propriety of submitting your name to the Queen for the Peerage. Your long and distinguished services and your great abilities will confer honor on any station; and your high character will give additional lustre to those qualities which have marked you out for her Majesty's choice. I am both proud and delighted, my Lord, that it has fallen to my lot to be the bearer of these tidings to you; and with every assurance of my great respect and esteem, I am, most sincerely yours, “Ellerton.” “At last,” cried Haire,--“at last! But I always knew that it would come.” “And what answer have you returned?” cried Lendrick, eagerly. “Such an answer as will gladden your heart, Tom. I have declined the proffered distinction.” “Declined it! Great God! and why?” cried Haire. “Because I have passed that period in which I could accommodate myself to a new station, and show the world that I was not inferior to my acquired dignity. This for my first reason; and for my second, I have a son whose humility would only be afflicted if such greatness were forced upon him. Ay, Tom, I have thought of all it would cost you, my poor fellow, and I have spared you.” “I thank you with my whole heart,” cried Lendrick, and he pressed the old man's hand to his lips. “And what says Lucy?” said the Judge. “Are you shocked at this epidemic of humility amongst us, child? Or does your woman's heart rebel against all our craven fears about a higher station?” “I am content, sir; and I don't think Tom, the miner, will fret that he wears a leather cap instead of a coronet.” “I have no patience with any of you,” muttered Haire. “The world will never believe you have refused such a splendid offer. The correspondence will not get abroad.” “I trust it will not, sir,” said the Chief. “What I have done I have done with regard to myself and my own circumstances, neither meaning to be an example nor a warning. The world has no more concern with the matter than with what we shall have for dinner to-day.”