no! George was not to be talked into such a scheme as that by
the offer of any loan, by the mention of any number of thousands. He
positively refused to consider the proposition; and his uncle, with
equal positiveness, refused to hold any further converse with him on
the subject of a profession. "Pritchett will pay you your present
allowance," said he, "for two years longer--that is, if I live."

"I can do without it, sir," said George.

"Pritchett will pay that amount for two years," said the uncle, with
great positiveness; "after that it will be discontinued. And for the
next three months I shall be happy to see you here as my guest."

It will be readily believed that George Bertram did not overstay the
three months.

CHAPTER VI.

JERUSALEM.

But there was no quarrel between George Bertram uncle and George
Bertram nephew: though in such conversations as they had about
business they were not over civil to each other, still they went on
together as good friends, at any rate as they ever had been. Indeed,
after the last scene which has been reported, the old man became more
courteous to his nephew, and before the three months were over was
almost cordial.

There was that about George the younger which made the old uncle
respect him, despite himself. The London merchant had a thorough
contempt for his brother, the soldier of fortune: he had acted as
he had done on behalf of that brother's son almost more with the
view of showing his contempt, and getting thereby an opportunity for
expressing it, than with any fixed idea of doing a kindness. He had
counted also on despising the son as he had despised the father; but
here he found himself foiled. George had taken all that he had given,
as any youth would take what an uncle gave; but he had never asked
for more: he had done as well as it was possible for him to do in
that line of education which had been tendered to him; and now,
though he would not become an attorney or a merchant, was prepared to
earn his own bread, and professed that he was able to support himself
without further assistance from any one.

Before the three months were over, his uncle had more than once asked
him to prolong his visit; but George had made up his mind to leave
Hadley. His purpose was to spend three or four months in going out
to his father, and then to settle in London. In the meantime, he
employed himself with studying the law of nations, and amused his
leisure hours with