Pisistratus.--"Do not think me ungrateful, then, when I say I come to resign my office,--to leave the house where I have been so happy" Trevanion.--"Leave the house! Pooh! I have over-tasked you. I will be more merciful in future. You must forgive a political economist; it is the fault of my sect to look upon men as machines." Pisistratus (smiling faintly).--"No, indeed; that is not it! I have nothing to complain of, nothing I could wish altered; could I stay." Trevanion (examining me thoughtfully).--"And does your father approve of your leaving me thus?" Pisistratus.--"Yes, fully." Trevanion (musing a moment).--"I see, he would send you to the University, make you a book-worm like himself. Pooh! that will not do; you will never become wholly a man of books,--it is not in you. Young man, though I may seem careless, I read characters, when I please it, pretty quickly. You do wrong to leave me; you are made for the great world,--I can open to you a high career. I wish to do so! Lady Ellinor wishes it,--nay, insists on it,--for your father's sake as well as yours. I never ask a favor from ministers, and I never will. But" (here Trevanion rose suddenly, and with an erect mien and a quick gesture of his arm he added)--"but a minister can dispose as he pleases of his patronage. Look you, it is a secret yet, and I trust to your honor. But before the year is out, I must be in the Cabinet. Stay with me; I guarantee your fortunes,--three months ago I would not have said that. By and by I will open Parliament for you,--you are not of age yet; work till then. And now sit down and write my letters,--a sad arrear!" "My dear, dear Mr. Trevanion!" said I, so affected that I could scarcely speak, and seizing his hand, which I pressed between both mine, "I dare not thank you,--I cannot! But you don't know my heart: it is not ambition. No! if I could but stay here on the same terms forever-- here," looking ruefully on that spot where Fanny had stood the night before. "But it is impossible! If you knew all, you would be the first to bid me go!" "You are in debt," said the man of the world, coldly. "Bad, very bad-- still--" "No, sir; no! worse." "Hardly possible to be worse, young man--hardly! But, just as you-- will; you leave me, and will not say why. Goodby. Why do you linger? Shake hands, and go!" "I cannot leave you thus; I--I--sir, the truth shall out. I am rash and mad enough not to see Miss Trevanion without forgetting that I am poor, and--" "Ha!" interrupted Trevanion, softly, and growing pale, "this is a misfortune, indeed! And I, who talked of reading characters! Truly, truly, we would-be practical men are fools--fools! And you have made love to my daughter!"