Old Mr.
Corbet was hardly to be called ambitious, or, if he were, his ambition was limited to views for the eldest son.

But Ralph intended to be a distinguished lawyer, not so much for the vision of the woolsack, which I suppose dances before the imagination of every young lawyer, as for the grand intellectual exercise, and consequent power over mankind, that distinguished lawyers may always possess if they choose.

A seat in Parliament, statesmanship, and all the great scope for a powerful and active mind that lay on each side of such a career--these were the objects which Ralph Corbet set before himself.

To take high honours at college was the first step to be accomplished; and in order to achieve this Ralph had, not persuaded--persuasion was a weak instrument which he despised--but gravely reasoned his father into consenting to pay the large sum which Mr.Ness expected with a pupil.

The good-natured old squire was rather pressed for ready money, but sooner than listen to an argument instead of taking his nap after dinner he would have yielded anything.