his card to Mr. John Scott.

The youth himself, to show the greater respect, came down to the public
parlor where the duke waited, and after most deferentially welcoming his
visitor, conducted him to his own private apartment.

"I see by your mother's letter, as well as by her will, that she has done
me the honor to appoint me your guardian," said the elder man, as soon as
they were seated alone together, and cautiously eyeing the younger, so as
to detect, if possible, how much or how little he knew or suspected of
the true relationship between them.

"My mother did _me_ the honor to consign me to your grace's
guardianship, if you will be so condescending as to accept the charge,"
replied the youth, with grave courtesy and in his turn eyeing the duke
to see, if possible, what might be his feelings and intentions toward
himself.

The duke bowed and then said:

"I would like to carry out your mother's views and your own wishes, if
possible. She mentioned in her letter the army as a career for you. Do
you wish some years hence to take a commission in the army?"

"I _did_, your grace: but now I prefer to leave myself entirely in
your grace's hands," cautiously replied the youth.

"But in the matter of choosing a profession you must be left free. No one
but yourself can decide upon your own calling with any hope of ultimate
success. Much mischief is done by the officiousness of parents and
guardians in directing their sons or wards into professions or callings
for which they have neither taste nor talent," said the duke.

The youth smiled slightly; he could but see that the duke was utterly
perplexed as to his own course of conduct, and to cover his confusion he
was only talking for talk's sake.

"You will let me know your own wishes on this subject, I hope, young
sir," continued the elder.

"My only wish on the subject is to leave myself in your grace's hands.
I feel confident that whatever your grace may think right to do with me,
will be the best possible thing for me," replied the boy, with more
meaning in his manner, as well as in his words, than he had intended
to betray.

The duke looked keenly at him; but his fair impassive face was
unreadable.

"Well, at all events, it is, perhaps, time enough for two or three years
to come to talk of a profession for you. Would you like to enter one of
the universities? Are you prepared to do so?" suddenly inquired the
guardian.

"I _would_ like to go to Oxford. B