As the girl consented, I might perhaps go farther--" Thirlwell stopped him.

"Why is Sir James anxious to help me ?" "We can only guess.

Perhaps he feels you have a claim and he has neglected you.

Then he may think you will do him credit and realize the ambitions he's getting too old to carry out.

He has noted that you have inherited your father's character, and I've heard him remark that while Tom Thirlwell had extravagant notions, he certainly had brains.