Jane smiled. "I have latterly been obliged to take myself to task for being so, Sir William," she answered.
"To task! I wish I had three such sons to take myself to task for being proud of," was his answer. "Not that mine are to be found fault with; but they are not like these."
"Do you think Frank will get on?" she asked him.
"It is no longer a question of getting on. He has begun to rise in an unusually rapid manner. I should not be surprised if, in after-years, he may find the very highest honours opening to him."
Again Jane smiled. "He has been in the habit of telling us that he looks forward to ruling England as Lord Chancellor."
The judge laughed. "I never knew a newly-fledged barrister who did not indulge that vision," said he. "I know I did. But there are really not many Frank Halliburtons. So, sir," he continued, for Frank at that moment passed, and the judge pinned him, "I hear you cherish dreams of the woolsack."
"To look at it from a distance is not high treason, Sir William," was Frank's ready answer.
"Why, what do you suppose you would do on the woolsack, if you got there?" cried Sir William.
"My duty, I hope, Sir William. I would try hard for it."
Sir William loosed him with an amused expression, and Frank passed on. Jane began to think Frank's dream—not of the woolsack, but of Maria Leader—not so very improbable a one.