General Clarendon, evidently moved by his ward’s benevolent enthusiasm, paused and said that there were many recollections which made it rather painful to him to revisit Old Forest. Still he would do it for Beauclerc, since nothing but seeing the place would convince him of the impracticability of his scheme. “I have not been at Old Forest,” continued the general, “since I was a boy--since it was deserted by the owners, and sadly changed I shall find it. “In former times these Forresters were a respectable, good old English family, till the second wife, pretty and silly, took a fancy for figuring in London, where of course she was nobody. Then, to make herself somebody, she forced her husband to stand for the county. A contested election--bribery--a petition--another election--ruinous expense. Then that Beltravers title coming to them: and they were to live up to it,--and beyond their income. The old story--over head and shoulders in debt. Then the new story,--that they must go abroad for economy!” “Economy! The cant of all those who have not courage to retrench at home,” said Lady Davenant. “They must,” they said, “live abroad, it is so cheap,” continued the general. “So cheap to leave their house to go to ruin! Cheap education too! and so good--and what does it come to?” “A cheap provision it is for a family in many cases,” said Lord Davenant. “Wife, son, and daughter, Satan, are thy own.” “Not in this case,” cried Beauclerc; “you cannot mean I hope.” “I can answer for one, the daughter at least,” said Lady Davenant; “that Mad. de St. Cimon, whom we saw abroad, at Florence, you know, Cecilia, with whom I would not let you form an acquaintance.” “Your ladyship was quite right,” said the general. Beauclerc could not say, “Quite wrong,”--and he looked--suffering. “I know nothing of the son,” pursued Lady Davenant. “I do,” said Beauclerc, “he is my friend.” “I thought he had been a very distressed man, that young Beltravers,” said the aid-de-camp. “And if he were, that would not prevent my being his friend, sir,” said Beauclerc. “Of course,” said the aid-de-camp, “I only asked.” “He is a man of genius and feeling,” continued Beauclerc, turning to Lady Davenant. “But I never heard you mention Lord Beltravers before. How long has he been your friend?” said Lady Davenant. Beauclerc hesitated. The general without hesitation answered, “Three weeks and one day.” “I do not count my friendship by days or weeks,” said Beauclerc. “No, my dear Beauclerc,” said the general: “well would it be for you if you would condescend to any such common-sense measure.” He rose from the breakfast-table as he spoke, and rang the bell to order the horses. “You are prejudiced against Beltravers, general; but you will think better of him, I am sure, when you know him.” “You will think worse of him when you know him, I suspect,” replied the general.