"Don't you understand!" he said, earnestly, and in a low voice which

the click of the billiard balls prevented Stafford from hearing. "It is

for him! For my boy, Mr. Howard! It's for him that I have been working,

am still working. For myself--I am satisfied--as he said; but not for

him. I want to see him still higher up the ladder than I have climbed.

I have done fairly well--heaven and earth! if anyone had told me twenty

years ago that I should be where and what I am to-day--well, I'd have

sold my chances for a bottle of ale. You smile. Mr. Howard, it was

anything but beer and skittles for me then. I want to leave my boy

a--title. Smile again, Mr. Howard; I don't mind."

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"I haven't a smile about me, sir," said Howard.

"Ah, you understand. You see my mind. I don't know why I've told you,

excepting that it is because you are Staff's friend. But I've told you

now. And am I not right? Isn't it a laudable ambition? Can you say that

he will not wear it well, however high the title may be? Where is there

such another young fellow? Proud--pride is too poor a word for what I

feel for him!"

He paused and sank back, but leant forward again.

"Though I've kept apart from him, Mr. Howard, I have watched him--but

in no unworthy sense. No, I haven't spied upon him."

"There was no need, sir," said Howard, very quietly.

"I know it. Stafford is as straight as a dart, as true as steel. Oh,

I've heard of him. I know there isn't a more popular man in

England--forgive me if I say I don't think there's a handsomer."

Howard nodded prompt assent.

"I read of him, in society, at Hurlingham. Everywhere he goes he holds

his own. And I know why. Do you believe in birth, Mr. Howard?" he

asked, abruptly.

"Of course," replied Howard.

"So do I, though I can't lay claim to any. But there's a good strain in

Stafford and it shows itself. There's something in his face, a certain

look in his eyes, in his voice, and the way he moves; that quiet yet

frank manner--oh, I can't explain!" he broke off, impatiently.

"I think you have done it very well," said Howard. "I don't like the

word--it is so often misapplied--but I can't think of any better:

distinguished is the word that describes Stafford."

Sir Stephen nodded eagerly.




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