But all feeling of irreverence ceased when, shown into the baronet's room, and the door closed, Sir Miles rose with a smile, and cordially shaking his hand, said, dropping the punctilious courtesy of Mister: "Ardworth, sir, if I had a little prejudice against you before you came, you have conquered it.

You are a fine, manly, spirited fellow, sir; and you have an old man's good wishes,--which are no bad beginning to a young man's good fortune." The colour rushed over Ardworth's forehead, and a tear sprang to his eyes.

He felt a rising at his throat as he stammered out some not very audible reply.
"I wished to see you, young gentleman, that I might judge myself what you would like best, and what would best fit you.

Your father is in the army: what say you to a pair of colours ?" "Oh, Sir Miles, that is my utmost ambition! Anything but law, except the Church; anything but the Church, except the desk and a counter!" The baronet, much pleased, gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder.

"Ha, ha! we gentlemen, you see (for the Ardworths are very well born, very), we gentlemen understand each other! Between you and me, I never liked the law, never thought a man of birth should belong to it.