His whole manner altered as he took his hand away from his nephew's shoulder.

But still he was determined that there should be no quarrel.

As yet there was no ground for quarrelling,--and by any quarrel the injury to him would be much greater than any that could befall the heir.

He stood for a moment and then he spoke again in a tone very different from that he had used before.

"I hope," he said,--and then he paused again; "I hope you know how very much depends on your marrying in a manner suitable to your position." "Quite so;--I think." "It is the one hope left to me to see you properly settled in life." "Marriage is a very serious thing, uncle.