‘The mother is nothing.’

’He will come round if people speak up in your favour.  I could get Mr Alf and Mr Broune to help.  I’d try it, Felix; indeed I would.  Ten thousand a year is not to be had every year.’

Sir Felix gave no assent to his mother’s views.  He felt no desire to relieve her anxiety by an assurance of activity in the matter.  But the prospect was so grand that it had excited even him.  He had money sufficient for carrying out the scheme, and if he delayed the matter now, it might well be that he would never again find himself so circumstanced.  He thought that he would ask somebody whither he ought to take her, and what he ought to do with her;—­and...