I have often fancied, entre nous, that my sister had it in her eye to make a marriage between you and that little ward of hers--Flora, Laura--what's her name?
And I always determined to do my small endeavour to prevent any such match.

The child has but two thousand pounds, I am given to understand.
It is only with the utmost economy and care that my sister can provide for the decent maintenance of her house, and for your appearance and education as a gentleman; and I don't care to own to you that I had other and much higher views for you.

With your name and birth, sir--with your talents, which I suppose are respectable, with the friends whom I have the honour to possess, I could have placed you in an excellent position--a remarkable position for a young man of such exceeding small means, and had hoped to see you, at least, try to restore the honours of our name.

Your mother's softness stopped one prospect, or you might have been a general, like our gallant ancestor who fought at Ramillies and Malplaquet.

I had another plan in view: my excellent and kind friend, Lord Bagwig, who is very well disposed towards me, would, I have little doubt, have attached you to his mission at Pumpernickel, and you might have advanced in the diplomatic service.