s satisfied. I've an
ambition yet ungratified, and I mean to gratify it. You think I'm
vaunting, Mr. Howard?" "No, I think you are simply stating a fact,"
responded Howard, gravely.

"I thank you, sir," said Sir Stephen, as gravely. "I speak so
confidently because I see my way clearly before me. I generally do.
When I don't, I back out and lie low."

Stafford found this too painful. He rose to get a light and sauntered
into the billiard-room and tried the table.

Sir Stephen looked after him musingly, and seemed to forget Howard's
presence; then suddenly his face flushed and his eyes shone with a
curious mixture of pride and tenderness and the indomitable resolution
which had helped him to fight his "wild beast." He leant forward and
touched Howard's knee.

"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."

"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.