“Oh! I should not mind standing an examination in the _Family Herald_,” Law said with a laugh. He had occupied the post of reader in the workroom before, and knew a great deal about Lady Araminta. There could not be any doubt that he was very good-natured, and ready to make himself of use. “I should like to know,” said Polly--and though he could scarcely see her face, Law felt, with a mixture of amusement and indignation, by the sound of her voice, that Polly, too, meant to give him good advice--“I should like to know, Mr. Lawrence, what you intend to be? Are you going into the army, like the Captain? If I were a young gentleman, that’s what I should choose above everything.” “I can’t afford the army, worse luck,” cried Law; “we haven’t got any money, and a fellow can’t live on his pay. And there’s those dash’d examinations to pass everywhere before you can get into anything; it’s enough to drive a man out of his senses. I sometimes think I shall emigrate--that’s the only thing you can do without an examination.” “But you can’t do that without money--a little money at least,” said Polly. “If I were you, I should make a push and get in somewhere. I can’t think how you can stay at home doing nothing, a great strong young man like you.” “Oh! as for being strong, that don’t do much for an exam.,” said Law. “The little fellows stand the best chance there.” “I wouldn’t make jokes about it, if I were you. I wonder how you can go on living on the Captain, and such a burden on him--both you and your sister----” “Hallo,” said Law in extreme surprise. The mention of Lottie bewildered him. He was not even angry for the moment--he was so profoundly astonished. “Yes, indeed, you and your sister too. You don’t show any consideration for the Captain, and how can you expect that he’s always to be thinking of you? The Captain is a young man still, and he is a fine man, and if he were to marry again, as would be very natural at his age, where would you and Miss Despard be?” “Let my sister alone, if you please,” said Law, with a momentary flash of anger; and then he relapsed into a laugh. “The governor should be much obliged to you, Polly, for taking his part.”