Now Sir Felix was the next heir. Roger was hampered by no entail, and could leave every acre of the property as he pleased. In one respect the natural succession to it by Sir Felix would generally be considered fortunate. It had happened that a title had been won in a lower branch of the family, and were this succession to take place the family title and the family property would go together. No doubt to Sir Felix himself such an arrangement would seem to be the most proper thing in the world,--as it would also to Lady Carbury were it not that she looked to Carbury Manor as the future home of another child. But to all this the present owner of the property had very strong objections. It was not only that he thought ill of the baronet himself,--so ill as to feel thoroughly convinced that no good could come from that quarter,--but he thought ill also of the baronetcy itself. Sir Patrick, to his thinking, had been altogether unjustifiable in accepting an enduring title, knowing that he would leave behind him no property adequate for its support. A baronet, so thought Roger Carbury, should be a rich man, rich enough to grace the rank which he assumed to wear. A title, according to Roger's doctrine on such subjects, could make no man a gentleman, but, if improperly worn, might degrade a man who would otherwise be a gentleman. 
Now Sir Felix was the next heir, though Roger could leave his property as he pleased. In one respect the natural succession to it by Sir Felix would be fortunate: the baronetcy and the family property would then go together. No doubt to Sir Felix himself such an arrangement would seem to be the most proper thing in the world.
But Roger had very strong objections. It was not only that he thought ill of the baronet, but he thought ill of the baronetcy itself. Sir Patrick, to his thinking, should not have accepted the title, knowing that he would leave no property adequate for its support. A baronet, thought Roger Carbury, should be rich enough to grace his rank.
