Trevanion (musing a moment).--"I see, he would send you to the
University, make you a book-worm like himself. Pooh! that will not do;
you will never become wholly a man of books,--it is not in you. Young
man, though I may seem careless, I read characters, when I please it,
pretty quickly. You do wrong to leave me; you are made for the great
world,--I can open to you a high career. I wish to do so! Lady Ellinor
wishes it,--nay, insists on it,--for your father's sake as well as
yours. I never ask a favor from ministers, and I never will. But"
(here Trevanion rose suddenly, and with an erect mien and a quick
gesture of his arm he added)--"but a minister can dispose as he pleases
of his patronage. Look you, it is a secret yet, and I trust to your
honor. But before the year is out, I must be in the Cabinet. Stay with
me; I guarantee your fortunes,--three months ago I would not have said
that. By and by I will open Parliament for you,--you are not of age
yet; work till then. And now sit down and write my letters,--a sad
arrear!"

"My dear, dear Mr. Trevanion!" said I, so affected that I could scarcely
speak, and seizing his hand, which I pressed between both mine, "I dare
not thank you,--I cannot! But you don't know my heart: it is not
ambition. No! if I could but stay here on the same terms forever--
here," looking ruefully on that spot where Fanny had stood the night
before. "But it is impossible! If you knew all, you would be the first
to bid me go!"

"You are in debt," said the man of the world, coldly. "Bad, very bad--
still--"

"No, sir; no! worse."