It was generally supposed that he had married beneath him; but the opinion now was that this must have been a mistake, for there was nothing in any way vulgar about the quiet, military-looking gentleman, with whom the squire was evidently on terms of warm friendship.
The only person somewhat dissatisfied with the arrangement was James Walsham.

He loved his mother so much, that he had never offered the slightest dissent to her plan, that he should follow in his father's footsteps.

She was so much set on the matter, that he could never bring himself to utter a word in opposition.

At heart, however, he longed for a more stirring and more adventurous life, such as that of a soldier or sailor, and he had all along cherished a secret hope, that something might occur to prevent his preparing for the medical profession, and so enable him to carry out his secret wishes.

But the present arrangement seemed to put an end to all such hopes, and, although grateful to the squire for sending him to a good school, he wished, with all his heart, that he had chosen some other way of manifesting his gratitude.
Four years passed quietly.