I'm seriously tempted to write to Lord Hermiston, and put it plainly to him." "I would if I were you," some of his auditors would say, shaking the head, sitting bewildered and confused at this new view of the matter, so deftly indicated by a single word.

"A capital idea!" they would add, and wonder at the _aplomb_ and position of this young man, who talked as a matter of course of writing to Hermiston and correcting him upon his private affairs.
And Frank would proceed, sweetly confidential: "I'll give you an idea, now.

He's actually sore about the way that I'm received and he's left out in the county--actually jealous and sore.

I've rallied him and I've reasoned with him, told him that every one was most kindly inclined towards him, told him even that I was received merely because I was his guest.

But it's no use.