which had suddenly occurred to him, exclaimed,--

"Ardworth, your desire, your ambition, is to enter parliament; there must
be a dissolution shortly,--the success of your book will render you
acceptable to many a popular constituency. All you can want is a sum for
the necessary expenses. Borrow that sum from me; repay me when you are
in the Cabinet, or attorney-general. It shall be so!"

A look so bright that even by that dull lamplight the glow of the cheek,
the brilliancy of the eye were visible, flashed over Ardworth's face. He
felt at that moment what ambitious man must feel when the object he has
seen dimly and afar is placed within his grasp; but his reason was proof
even against that strong temptation.

He passed his arm round the boy's slender waist, and drew him to his
heart with grateful affection as he replied,--"And what, if now in
parliament, giving up my career,--with no regular means of subsistence,--
what could I be but a venal adventurer? Place would become so vitally
necessary to me that I should feed but a dangerous war between my
conscience and my wants. In chasing Fame, the shadow, I should lose the
substance, Independence. Why, that very thought would paralyze my
tongue. No, no, my generous friend. As labour is the arch elevator of
man, so patience is the essence of labour. First let me build the
foundation; I may then calculate the height of my tower. First let me be
independent of the great; I will then be the champion of the lowly.
Hold! Tempt me no more; do not lure me to the loss of self-esteem. And
now, Percival," resumed Ardworth, in the tone of one who wishes to plunge
into some utterly new current of thought, "let us forget for awhile these
solemn aspirations, and be frolicsome and human. 'Nemo mortalium omnibus
horis sapit.' 'Neque semper arcum tendit Apollo.' What say you to a