He had had much to forgive in his own family, since a family had grown up around him, and had forgiven everything--except inattention to his dinner.

His weakness in that respect was now fully understood, and his temper but seldom tried.

As Dr.Stanhope was a clergyman, it may be supposed that his religious convictions made up a considerable part of his character, but this was not so.

That he had religious convictions must be believed, but he rarely obtruded them, even on his children.

This abstinence on his part was not systematic, but very characteristic of the man.