"Imagine, my dear sir, what it would mean to be at the mere beck and call of a petticoat--and such a petticoat! All women are unreasonable--dear creatures, I admit, and they've played the devil with Bob Carlaw--but there is reason in all things. To be confronted with a shrieking harridan who doesn't know her own mind for five minutes together, who insults her own flesh and blood." (Mr. Carlaw struck himself frantically on the breast and wagged his head) "and loads my cherished son with reproaches--no, sir, it was not to be borne. Charlotte is a dear sister and a worthy woman, and I esteem her; but--there are limits. I trust, whatever my faults may be, that I shall never be accused of a lack of what I may term the gentler virtues. Vices I have, but they are, thank God, the vices of a gentleman. In short, sir, the situation was impossible. I am glad to think that I controlled myself and--as a soldier might express it--retreated with dignity. Frankly, I do not mind confessing that the loss, from a monetary point of view, is great. My son will not set forth upon that career for which I had destined him with such bright prospects as he might have done. But, sir, you will agree with me that there are limits--limits which may not be passed." Mr. Robert Carlaw leaned back in his chair and gazed at the ceiling; he breathed heavily, and tapped the fingers of one hand upon the table. The captain began to think that he had misjudged Mr. Carlaw, and that he might be, after all, rather a fine fellow. "I am sorry," he said, slowly, "for the boy's sake." "Yes; for myself I do not care; the world has handled me roughly, but I have contrived, thank Heaven, to turn a smiling face to it, as a gentleman should. I have hopes for my son; he is not--not of common clay, and I think you will admit that his appearance is such that he should be able to cut a figure in the world. My dear sir"--he leaned forward and spoke confidentially--"I will not deceive you. There may have been--nay, there was--a selfish thought in my breast in the matter. I had a vision of my son taking his place, as he should take it, with the aid of that wealth without which we can do nothing; and I had a vision, too, of his old father, who would do him no discredit, mind you, leaning upon the boy, perhaps even guiding him a little, amid the many temptations which would beset him. I repeat, I may have had such a thought, but it was not wholly selfish; it was for the boy's sake, entirely for the boy's sake." The captain began sadly to think that he had been a little hasty in forming that better judgment of Mr. Carlaw; but he spoke diplomatically. "No doubt," he said, "you would have been of great assistance to him."