Sir Lionel repressed the exclamation of anger against his brother which was in his heart, and had all but risen to his tongue. He had not been wandering for thirty years on foreign missions for nothing. He must find out more of this lad's disposition and feelings before he spoke out plainly before him what he thought. He had intended not only that his son should be the rich uncle's heir, but the rich uncle's adopted child also; so that some portion of that vast wealth might be made use of, certainly by George, perhaps even in some modest degree by himself, without the unnecessary delay of waiting for his brother's death. It would be bad enough to wait, seeing how probable it was that that brother might outlive himself. But now to be told not only that his hopes in this respect were vain, but that the old miser had absolutely repudiated his connection with his nephew! This was almost too much for his diplomatic equanimity. Almost, I say; for in fact he did restrain himself. "And did he say, George, in so many words that he meant to give you nothing?" "Yes, very plainly--in so many words. And I told him as plainly, and in as many, that I wanted nothing from him." "Was that prudent, my boy?" "It was the truth, sir. But I must tell you the whole. He offered me a loan of three thousand pounds--" "Well, you took that?" "Indeed, no. He offered it on the condition that I should be an attorney." "An attorney! and you with a double-first?" "Ah, he does not much value double-firsts. Of course, I was not going to make myself an attorney." "Of course not. But what is he doing about an allowance for you?" "He has been very liberal. He has given me a hundred and fifty a year--" "Yes; and sent me the bill of it--with great regularity." The son did not remind the father that all regularity in the matter had ended there, and that the bills so sent had never been paid; but he could not help thinking that in justice he might do so. "But that expense will soon be over, sir, as regards either you or him. The allowance will be discontinued next year." "What! he is going to stop even that school-boy's pittance?" "Why not, sir? I have no claim on him. And as he has not forgotten to tell me so once or twice--" "He was always a vulgar fellow," said Sir Lionel. "How he came to have such a spirit of trade in his very blood, I can't conceive. God knows I have none of it." "Nor I either, sir." "Well, I hope not. But does he expect you to live upon air? This is bad news, George--very bad." "Of course I have always intended to go into a profession. I have never looked at it in the same light as you do. I have always intended to make my own way, and have no doubt that I shall do so. I have quite made up my mind about it now." "About what, George?" "I shall go into orders, and take a college living." "Orders!" said Sir Lionel; and he expressed more surprise and almost more disgust at this idea than at that other one respecting the attorney scheme.