present with him now. "I am glad you have no inclination towards such society," he said, in his perplexed tone; "but, Horace, my boy, even for sport you must not continue it. It sticks to a man in spite of himself; and, indeed, the young fellows now are very different from what they were in my time. I don't bid you despise your fellow-creatures--there's a long distance between despising them and preferring their society--a man of your condition should do neither the one nor the other, as you will learn when you come to know life." "What is my condition, uncle?" asked Horace, suddenly, interrupting the slow and hesitating general sentiments, which were the only things which the perplexed Colonel could find ready to his hand in this embarrassing case. It is to be feared that Colonel Sutherland heard this question, which was asked in a high tone, for his face became gradually flushed over with a painful heat and colour; but once more he put his hand to his ear. "Yes; what are your own inclinations?--that is really the question, Horace--if we knew that, we could look out for you. There are many openings now to honourable ambition; but what do you wish yourself for your manner of life?" "Uncle," said Horace, with a force which _would_ be heard, "I have no inclinations, thanks to my manner of life hitherto--I have only one wish, and that is, to escape from Marchmain. Get me away from that wretched house. I don't care if I turn a shoe-black or a scavenger--get me away from here!" The Colonel once more looked at his nephew, but with less respect--"On these terms, could you not get yourself away? You are not confined by locks and bars," said Colonel Sutherland, disapprovingly; "why have you no inclinations? That dear child yonder, who has nobody in the world to speak to, has kept her heart as fresh as a May flower." "Susan?" said Horace, growing red; "you don't compare me with Susan?--Susan's a girl--she's content--she's very well off, so far as I can see--she's in her natural vocation. Would you have me put on petticoats and sit down to patchwork?--As well do that as compare a man with a girl!" "Susan," said the Colonel, with a little _hauteur_ and heat which became him, "is the only woman of the family. You are not aware, I daresay, of the indulgences and pleasures that are natural to girls of her years. I don't wonder so much either that you think of yourself first--but why have you no inclinations?--she has, and you think yourself her superior, I perceive."