'And you will be distinguished, won't you?'
'What do you think? Do you care about it?'
'Yes, I care,' said Esther slowly.
'You were not anxious about me?'
'No,' she said, smiling. 'Papa said you would be sure to distinguish yourself.'
'Did he? I am very much obliged to Colonel Gainsborough.'
'What for?'
'Why, for his good opinion.'
'But he couldn't help his opinion,' said Esther.
'Queen Esther,' said Pitt, laughing, 'I don't know about that. People sometimes hold opinions they have no business to hold, and that they would not hold, if they were not perverse-minded.'