I must look forward to some post which I might hereafter occupy beneficially to myself or others; and for which all the efforts of my mind should be bent to qualify myself.
These hints gave him visible pleasure; and now, for the first time, he deigned to advise me on this head.

His scheme, however, was not suddenly produced.

The way to it was circuitous and long.

It was his business to make every new step appear to be suggested by my own reflections.

His own ideas were the seeming result of the moment, and sprung out of the last idea that was uttered.