"Constancy in our affections is a good thing certainly, but constancy in our opinions is a different affair. A good man may change his sentiments, though he cannot change his principles."
"Well, all I think about is this:—Does the girl herself deserve dear Arthur? I wish of all things, that your brother could see her, and judge how far she resembles that vain peacock, her mother, or that shuttlecock, her uncle? I confess I never liked the first, but I did have a great regard for the last, when he was intimate with dear Frederic."
"Was Lord Rotheles intimate with my father?" said the son, earnestly.
"Oh, yes; they were college friends, and happy would it have been for him had his young mentor been near him; but your father went to India, came home, but for a short time; married, and went out again. In losing his friend, he might be said to lose himself; he has led a strange kind of life, more 'sinned against than sinning,' but certainly has not been a man with whom your father would have continued intimate. However, he is now sobered down into decency, at least—is an excellent landlord, a good husband and brother, and restored to the respect of his neighbours."
"I should like to know the man who knew my father!—knew him when he was young, and could tell me how he looked, and spoke—what were his tastes and sentiments in early life?" said Lord Meersbrook, warmly.
