He is
intending to have an heir of his own."
"That I believe is his purpose," said Harry.
"There is no reason why he shouldn't;--but he mayn't, you know."
"He is not married yet."
"No;--he is not married yet. And then he has also stopped the allowance
he used to make you." Harry nodded assent. "Now, all this is a great
shame."
"I think so."
"The poor gentleman has been awfully bamboozled."
"He is not so very old," said Harry, "I don't think he is more than
fifty."
"But he is an old goose. You'll excuse me, I know. Augustus Scarborough
got him up to London, and filled him full of lies."
"I am aware of it."
"And so am I aware of it. He has told him stories as to your conduct
with Mountjoy which, added to some youthful indiscretions of your own--"
"It was simply because I didn't like to hear him read sermons."
"That was an indiscretion, as he had the power in his hands to do you an
injury. Most men have got some little bit of petty tyranny in their
hearts. I have had none." To this Harry could only bow. "I let my two
boys do as they pleased, only wishing that they should lead happy lives.
I never made them listen to sermons, or even to lectures. Probably I was
wrong. Had I tyrannized over them, they would not have tyrannized over
me as they have done.
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