I was an orphan before I understood what it was to have a parent." This was said with a pathos which for the moment stopped the expression of any further harsh criticism from the lawyer.

Mr.
Wharton could not instantly repeat his objection to a parentage which was matter for such melancholy reflections; but he felt at the same time that as he had luckily landed himself on a positive and undeniable ground of objection to a match which was distasteful to him, it would be unwise for him to go to other matters in which he might be less successful.

By doing so, he would seem to abandon the ground which he had already made good.

He thought it probable that the man might have an adequate income, and yet he did not wish to welcome him as a son-in-law.

He thought it possible that the Portuguese father might be a Portuguese nobleman, and therefore one whom he would be driven to admit to have been in some sort a gentleman;--but yet this man who was now in his presence and whom he continued to scan with the closest observation, was not what he called a gentleman.