"It goes on regularly from month to month;"—Sir Marmaduke did not feel the slightest respect for an income that was paid monthly. According to his ideas, a gentleman's income should be paid quarterly, or perhaps half-yearly. According to his view, a monthly salary was only one degree better than weekly wages;—"and I suppose that is permanence," said Hugh Stanbury.
"I cannot say that I so regard it."
"A barrister gets his, you know, very irregularly. There is no saying when he may have it."
"But a barrister's profession is recognised as a profession among gentlemen, Mr. Stanbury."
"And is not ours recognised? Which of us, barristers or men of literature, have the most effect on the world at large? Who is most thought of in London, Sir Marmaduke,—the Lord Chancellor or the Editor of the 'Jupiter?'"
"The Lord Chancellor a great deal," said Sir Marmaduke, quite dismayed by the audacity of the question.
"By no means, Sir Marmaduke," said Stanbury, throwing out his hand before him so as to give the energy of action to his words. "He has the higher rank. I will admit that."
"I should think so," said Sir Marmaduke.
"And the larger income."
"Very much larger, I should say," said Sir Marmaduke, with a smile.