"If a man has money to begin with, sir," said Horace. "No, uncle, I detest buying and selling--_that_ will not do for me." "Then you detest what many a better man than either you or I has practised, Horace," said the Colonel, a little affronted. "And there is my own profession. I have some little influence to serve a friend; but to be a soldier--a real soldier--I don't mean a man of parades and barracks, for at present you are not rich enough for that--requires a strong natural inclination. No--I see your answer--that will not do either; and indeed I think you're right. Then--I speak to you frankly, Horace--I would not advise you, for instance, to think of the Church." "Because I am not good enough," said Horace, feeling his pride wounded by the suggestion, yet laughing with a contempt of the goodness which could conform itself to that level; "and also, uncle, because I have no education and no influence--that of course is impossible." Colonel Sutherland could not help making an involuntary comparison between Roger Musgrave's humble declaration of want of wit and want of teaching, and this confession, which sounded the same in words. But Horace made his avowal with all the egotistic confidence of a young man who knew nothing of the world; and having never met his equals, in his heart thought education a very trivial circumstance, and believed his talent to be such as should triumph over all disadvantages. The Colonel gave a little suppressed sigh in his heart, and said to himself that nothing would show the boy his mistake--nothing but _life_. "Well then, Horace," he cried, with sudden animation, remembering his own brilliant idea, "what do you think of the _Law_? So far as I can see, that is exactly the thing which is best suited to your genius--eh? My wonder is that it should never have occurred to yourself. What do you think of that, my boy?--the very thing for you, is it not?" "The Law?" said Horace--"do you mean to make me an attorney, uncle?" "I mean that you should make yourself anything that you may prove yourself to have a talent for," said the Colonel. "What, boy! you must have _some_ idea as to what you're good for--attorney, solicitor, advocate--I am not particular for my part, but let it be something. It's an honourable profession when it's exercised with honour: in my opinion, it's the thing most suitable to your manner of mind. Eh?--don't you think so now yourself?"