"As more than that. I have seen her change countenance and colour at the mere mention of his name. Write to the lad, I say, and tell him to come home. He is a finer gentleman than this bit of a baronet, after all."
"Does it not strike you, Mr. Yorke, that for a mere penniless adventurer to aspire to a rich woman's hand is presumptuous--contemptible?"
"Oh, if you are for high notions and double-refined sentiment, I've naught to say. I'm a plain, practical man myself, and if Robert is willing to give up that royal prize to a lad-rival--a puling slip of aristocracy--I am quite agreeable. At _his_ age, in _his_ place, with _his_ inducements, I would have acted differently. Neither baronet, nor duke, nor prince should have snatched my sweetheart from me without a struggle. But you tutors are such solemn chaps; it is almost like speaking to a parson to consult with you."

"As more than that. I have seen her change colour at the mere mention of his name. Write to the lad, I say, and tell him to come home. He is a finer gentleman than this bit of a baronet."
"Does it not strike you, Mr. Yorke, that for a penniless adventurer to aspire to a rich woman's hand is presumptuous - contemptible?"
"Oh, if you are for high notions, I've naught to say. I'm a plain, practical man myself, and if Robert is willing to give up that royal prize to a puling slip of aristocracy, I am quite agreeable. In his place I would have acted differently. But you tutors are such solemn chaps; it is almost like speaking to a parson."
