were
not so well acquainted then as we are now, and I did not like to
interfere."

"It could not be interference from you."

"Well, but the matter is this: if my brother ever loved any human
being--and I am not quite sure he ever did--but if he did, it was
that girl's father. Had Waddington lived, he would now have been my
age. Your uncle took him early by the hand, and would have made his
fortune for him, but the poor fellow died. In my opinion, it would
assist your views if your uncle knew that you were going to marry
Caroline Waddington."

George said nothing, but sat sucking the mouth-piece of his
pipe-stick and blowing out great clouds of smoke. Sir Lionel said
nothing further, but easily changed the conversation. Early on the
following morning, Bertram left Constantinople, having received a
promise that Sir Lionel would visit him in England as soon as the
exigencies of the public service would permit of his doing so.

CHAPTER XII.

GEORGE BERTRAM DECIDES IN FAVOUR OF THE BAR.

George Bertram did not return directly to England. Since he had
been in Turkey, he had made arrangement by letter with his friend
Harcourt to meet him in the Tyrol, and to travel home with him
through Switzerland. It was about the middle of June when he left
Constantinople, and Harcourt was to be at Innspruck on the 5th
August. George might therefore well have remained a week or two
longer with his father had either of them so wished; but neither of
them did wish it. The living at Constantinople was dear, and George's
funds would not stand much more of it; and Sir Lionel, free and easy
as he was, still felt his son's presence as some impediment--perhaps
in the way of his business, perhaps in that of his pleasures.

From Constantinople Bertram went up across the Balkan to the Danube,
and thence through Bucharest into Transylvania, travelling, as in
those days was necessary, somewhat by permission of the Russian
authorities. He then again struck the Danube at Pesth; remained some
little time there; again a week or so at Vienna; from thence he
visited Saltzburg, and exactly on the appointed day shook hands with
his friend in the hall of the old "Golden Sun" at Innspruck.

At first, on leaving his father, George was very glad to be once more
alone. Men delighted him not; nor women either at that moment--seeing
that his thoughts were running on Caroline Waddington, and that her
presence was not to be had. But by the time that h