And mine they ought to have been, if the sacred law of primogeniture (that special Providence which watches over the interests of eldest sons) had been duly observed.

Sir John had not the pleasure of my acquaintance, but I fear he must have heard some reports--no doubt entirely without foundation--respecting my career, which had induced him to pass me over in this manner.

What a moral! My father and my aunt Mary are always delicately pointing out the difference between Ralph and myself.

I wish I were a good young man, like Ralph.

It seems to pay best in the long-run; but I may as well inform you, Colonel Middleton, of the painful fact that I am the black sheep of the family." "Oh, come, come!" I remarked, uneasily.
"I should not have alluded to the subject if you were not likely to become fully aware of it on your arrival, so I will be beforehand with my relations.