He reads German beautifully.
'Indeed! I daresay he was at school in Germany.

There are cheap schools there to which middle-class people send their boys.' This was like a thrust from a rusty knife.
'Mr.Hammond was at Oxford,' Lesbia said, reproachfully; and then, after a longish pause, she clasped her hands upon the arm of Lady Maulevrier's chair, and said, in a pleading voice, 'Grandmother, Mr.Hammond has asked me to marry him.' 'Indeed! Only that?
And pray, did he tell you what are his means of maintaining Lord Maulevrier's sister in the position to which her birth entitles her ?' inquired the dowager, with crushing calmness.
'He is not rich; indeed, I believe, he is poor; but he is brave and clever, and he is full of confidence in his power to conquer fortune.' 'No doubt; that is your true adventurer's style.

He confides implicitly in his own talents, and in somebody else's banker.

Mr.Hammond would make a tremendous figure in the world, I daresay, and while he was making it your brother would have to keep him.

Well, my dear Lesbia, I hope you gave this gentleman the answer his insolence deserved; or that you did better, and referred him to me.