one object.'

'Yes; but how shameful to wish James to forget his Ordination.'

'A strong way of putting it. He asked too much: but he would have
been, and may yet be, contented with concessions involving nothing
wrong. His way of life can hardly have taught him to appreciate
James's scruples, as we do; and even if right and wrong were more
neatly partitioned between them than I think they are, it would still
be hard on him to find this destined heir spurning his benefits.'

'What are you coming to, Louis! You think James right?

'I would give the world to think so, Clara. One motive is too high
for praise, the other--No, I will say nothing of it. But I could
wish I had not precipitated matters last year.'

'What, would you have robbed us of our few happy months?'

'It was your uncle whom I robbed; he would otherwise have come home
like a good genius; but he found you all happy without him, and with
no gratitude to spare for him. And there he sits at the head of that
long melancholy table, trying to bring back days that have gone too
far ever to be recalled, and only raising their spectres in this
mocking finery; scarcely one man present, whose welcome comes from
his heart; his mother past the days of heeding the display, except
for his sake; his nephew rejecting him; you indignant and miserable.
Oh, Clara! I never saw more plainly money given for that which is
not bread, and labour for that which satisfieth not. Empty and
hollow as the pageant was, I could better bear to take my part in it,