Templeton was startled; he half shaded his face with his hand, and gazed searchingly upon the high forehead and bold eyes of his nephew. "I believe you are sincere," said he, after a pause.
"You may well believe so, sir."
"Well, I will think of this. I like an honourable ambition—not too extravagant a one,—/that/ is sinful; but a /respectable/ station in the world is a proper object of desire, and wealth is a blessing; because," added the rich man, taking another slice of the pineapple,—"it enables us to be of use to our fellow-creatures!"
"Sir, then," said Ferrers, with daring animation—"then I avow that my ambition is precisely of the kind you speak of. I am obscure, I desire to be reputably known; my fortune is mediocre, I desire it to be great. I ask you for nothing—I know your generous heart; but I wish independently to work out my own career."
"Lumley," said Templeton, "I never esteemed you so much as I do now. Listen to me—I will confide in you; I think the government are under obligations to me."
"I know it," exclaimed Ferrers, whose eyes sparkled at the thought of a sinecure—for sinecures then existed!
"And," pursued the uncle, "I intend to ask them a favour in return."
"Oh, sir!"
"Yes; I think—mark me—with management and address, I may—"
"Well, my dear sir!"