discussing these points with his
father, implied want of reverence or affection--far from it. On the
contrary, the father always liked him the better for them, inasmuch as
they proved Denny's vast superiority over himself. They were, therefore,
only the licenses and embellishments of discussion, tolerated and
encouraged by him to whom they were applied.

Denny at length shot up to the stature of a young man, probably about
eighteen; and during the two last years of his school studies he
presented a considerable, if not a decidedly marked change in his
character and external appearance. His pride became more haughty, and
the consciousness of his learning, and of the influence annexed to
the profession for which he was intended, put itself forth with
less discussion, but more energy. His manners and attitude became
constrained; the expression of his face began to darken, and to mould
itself into a stiff, gloomy formality, that was strongly calculated
to conceal the natural traits of his character. His dress, too, had
undergone a great improvement; for instead of wearing shop blue or
brown, he wore good black broad-cloth, had a watch in his fob, a
respectable hat, and finer linen.

This change, now necessary in consequence of his semiclerical character,
influenced him through every relation of life. His nearest friends,
whilst their pride in him increased, fell off to a more respectful
distance; and his deportment, so far from being that of a good-humored
Bobadil of polemics and pedantry upon all known and unknown subjects,
became silent and solemn, chequered only during the moments of
family conviviality by an excessive flow of that pleasant and still
incomprehensible learning for the possession of which he had so honestly
earned himself a character. Much of his pedantry was now lopped off, it
is true, because the pride of his station prevented him from entering
into discussions with the people. It cost him, however, some trouble to
overcome his early tendencies; nor, after all, can it be affirmed that
he altogether succeeded in eradicating them. Many a grave shrug, and
solemn wink, and formal nod, had he to answer for, when his foot touched
the debatable land of controversy. Though contrary to the keeping
and dignity of his position in life, yet did honest Denny then get
desperately significant, and his face amazingly argumentative. Many a
pretender has he fairly annihilated by a single smile of contempt that
containe