human
We are no longer alone, said he, rising;
gpt
Tell me, he continued musingly, as they walked on to meet Ferrers,
human
Lumley, I have known from a child, replied Florence,
gpt
Yet he appears to me selfish and unprincipled.
human
It is from a fine contempt for the vices and follies of men that he has contracted the habit of consulting his own resolute will--and, believing everything done in this noisy stage of action a cheat, he has accommodated his ambition to the fashion. Though without what is termed genius, he will obtain a distinction and power that few men of genius arrive at.
gpt
Because /genius/ is essentially honest, said Maltravers.
human
However, you teach me to look on him more indulgently. I suspect the real frankness of men whom I know to be hypocrites in public life--but, perhaps, I judge by too harsh a standard.
gpt
Third persons, said Ferrers, as he now joined them,
human
You are ever modest, my cousin.
gpt
It is my weak side, I know; but I shall improve with years and wisdom. What say you, Maltravers?
human
By the by, I am too familiar--I am sunk in the world. I am a thing to be sneered at by you old-family people. I am next heir to a bran-new Brummagem peerage. 'Gad, I feel brassy already!
gpt
What, is Mr. Templeton--
human
Mr. Templeton is no more; he is defunct, extinguished--out of the ashes rises the phoenix Lord Vargrave. We had thought of a more sounding title; De Courval has a nobler sound,--but my good uncle has nothing of the Norman about him: so we dropped the De as ridiculous--Vargrave is euphonious and appropriate. My uncle has a manor of that name--Baron Vargrave of Vargrave.
gpt
Ah--I congratulate you.
human
Thank you. Lady Vargrave may destroy all my hopes yet. But nothing venture, nothing have. My uncle will be gazetted to-day. Poor man, he will be delighted; and as he certainly owes it much to me, he will, I suppose, be very grateful--or hate me ever afterwards--that is a toss up. A benefit conferred is a complete hazard between the thumb of pride and the forefinger of affection. Heads gratitude, tails hatred! There, that's a simile in the fashion of the old writers: 'Well of English undefiled!' humph!
gpt
So that beautiful child is Mrs. Templeton's, or rather Lady Vargrave's, daughter by a former marriage?
human
Yes, it is astonishing how fond he is of her. Pretty little creature--confoundedly artful though. By the way, Maltravers, we had an unexpectedly stormy night the last of the session--strong division--ministers hard pressed. I made quite a good speech for them. I suppose, however, there will be some change--the moderates will be taken in. Perhaps by next session I may congratulate you.