"Their man of business in matters of law is Mr. Larkington, about it. _Our_ man, you know--you know him." "Oh, yes. They could not do better. Mr. Larkin--a very shrewd fellow. I went, by-the-by, to see that old man, Dingwell." "Ah, well, very good. We'll talk of that by-and-by, if you please; but it has been occurring to my mind, Cleve, that--that you should look about you. In fact, if you don't like one young lady, you may like another. It strikes me I never saw a greater number of pretty young women, about it, than there are at present in town. I do assure you, at that ball--where was it?--the place I saw you, and sent you down to the division--don't you remember?--and next day, I told you, I think, they never said so much as 'I'm obliged to you' for what I had done, though it was the saving of them, about it. I say I was quite struck; the spectacle was quite charming, about it, from no other cause; and you know there is Ethel--I always said Ethel--and there _can_ be no objection there; and I have distinct reasons for wishing you to be well connected, about it--in a political sense--and there is no harm in a little _money_; and, in fact, I have made up my mind, my dear Cleve, it is indispensable, and you _must_ marry. I'm quite clear upon the point." "I can promise you, my dear uncle, that I shan't marry without your approbation." "Well, I rather took that for granted," observed Lord Verney, with dry solemnity. "Of course. I only say it's very difficult sometimes to see what's wisest. I have you, I know, uncle, to direct me; but you must allow I have also your example. You relied entirely upon yourself for your political position. You made it without the aid of any such step, and I should be only too proud to follow your example." "A--yes--but the cases are different; there's a difference, about it. As I said in the debate on the Jewish Disabilities, there arc no two cases, about it, precisely parallel; and I've given my serious consideration to the subject, and I am satisfied that for every reason you ought to choose a wife _immediately_; there's _no_ reason against it, and you ought to choose a wife, about it, immediately; and my mind is made up quite decidedly, and I have spoken repeatedly; but now I tell you I recognise no reason for further delay--no reason against the step, and every reason for it; and in short, I shall have no choice but to treat any dilatory procedure in the matter as amounting to a distinct trifling with my known wishes, desire, and opinion." And the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Verney smote his thin hand emphatically at these words, upon the table, as he used to do in his place in the House. Then followed an impressive silence, the peer holding his head high, and looking a little flushed; and Cleve very pale, with the ghost of the smile he had worn a few minutes before.