“_Then_, my dear sir,” said he, “you understand me--I see we understand and shall suit one another. I am in want of a secretary to supply the place of Mr. Cunningham Falconer. Mr. Drakelow is going to Constantinople; but he shall first initiate his successor in the business of his office--a routine, which little minds would make great minds believe is a mystery above ordinary comprehension. But, sir, I have no doubt that you will be expert in a very short time in the technical part--in the routine of office; and if it suits your views, in one word, I should be happy to have you for my private secretary. Take time to consider, if you do not wish to give an answer immediately; but I beg that you will consult no one but yourself--not even your father. And as soon as your mind is made up, let me know your decision.” After returning thanks to the minister, who had, by this time, risen to a prodigious height in Alfred’s opinion; after having reiterated his thanks with a warmth which was not displeasing, he retired. The account of his feelings on this occasion is given with much _truth_ in his own letter, from which we extract the passage: “I believe I felt a little like Gil Blas after his first visit at court. Vapours of ambition certainly mounted into my head, and made me a little giddy; that night I did not sleep quite so well as usual. The bar and the court, Lord Oldborough and my special pleader, were continually before my eyes balancing in my imagination all the _pros_ and _cons_. I fatigued myself, but could neither rest nor decide. Seven years of famine at the bar--horrible! but then independence and liberty of conscience--and in time, success--the certain reward of industry--well-earned wealth--perhaps honours--why not the highest professional honours? The life of a party-man and a politician, agreed by all who have tried, even by this very Lord Oldborough himself, agreed to be an unhappy life--obliged to live with people I despise--might be tempted, like others, to do things for which I should despise myself--subject to caprice--at best, my fortune quite dependent on my patron’s continuance in power--power and favour uncertain. “It was long before I got my pros and cons even into this rude preparation for comparison, and longer still before the logical process of giving to each good and evil its just value, and drawing clear deductions from distinct premises, could be accomplished. However, in four-and-twenty hours I solved the problem.