I speak for the boy's good.

It is true that you yourself, being a bitter Whig, mix but little with your neighbours, who are for the most part the other way of thinking; but this may not go on for ever, and you would, I suppose, like Alured, when he grows up, to mix with others of his rank in the county; and it would be well, therefore, that he should have the accomplishments and manners of young men of his own age." John Dormay did not reply hastily--it was his policy to keep on good terms with his wife's cousin, for the knight was a man of far higher consideration, in the county, than himself.

His smile, however, was not a pleasant one, as he rose and said: "My mission has hardly terminated as I expected, Sir Marmaduke.

I came to complain, and I go away advised somewhat sharply." "Tut, tut, man!" the knight said.

"I speak only for the lad's good, and I am sure that you cannot but feel the truth of what I have said.