"Not meaning it, perhaps;--but if he should become entangled and make a
promise!"

Then the Earl did speak to his nephew. "Fred," he said, "I have been
thinking a great deal about you. I have little else to think of now. I
should take it as a mark of affection from you if you would give up the
army--at once."

"And not join my regiment again at all?"

"It is absurd that you should do so in your present position. You should
be here, and learn the circumstances of the property before it becomes
your own. There can hardly be more than a year or two left for the
lesson."

The Earl's manner was very impressive. He looked into his nephew's face
as he spoke, and stood with his hand upon the young man's shoulder.
But Fred Neville was a Neville all over,--and the Nevilles had always
chosen to have their own way. He had not the power of intellect nor
the finished manliness which his brother possessed; but he could be as
obstinate as any Neville,--as obstinate as his father had been, or his
uncle. And in this matter he had arguments which his uncle could hardly
answer on the spur of the moment. No doubt he could sell out in proper
course, but at the present moment he was as much bound by military
law to return as would be any common soldier at the expiration of his
furlough. He must go back. That at any rate was certain. And if his
uncle did not much mind it, he would prefer to remain with his regiment
till October.

Lord Scroope could not condescend to repeat his request, or even again