Audley caught a deprecating look from Fernando. 'Do you
come from his father?'
'Well--yes and no. His father is still in the Oregon; but he and I
have always been one--and opening the boy's letters, and finding him
ready to move, I thought, as I had business in England, I'd come and
fetch him, and just settle any claim the fellow at yonder hotel may
have cheek enough to set up, since Fernan was green enough to let it
out.'
'May I ask if you have any authority from his father?'
'Authority! Bless you! William will be glad to see his boy; we don't
go by authority between brothers.'
'Because,' continued Mr. Audley, 'I heard from your brother that he
wished Fernando to remain with me to receive an English education.'
'All sentiment and stuff! He knew better before we had sailed! An
English squire in this wretched old country, forsooth! when the new
republic is before him! No, no, Mr. Audley, I'll be open with you. I
saw what you were up to when I got your letter, and Fernan--Got his
lesson very well, he had. And when I came down, a friend in London
gave me another hint. It won't do, I can assure you. That style of
thing is all very well for you spruce parsons of good family, as you
call it in the old country; but we are not going to have a rising
young fellow like this, with a prospect of what would buy out all
your squires and baronets in the old country, beslobbered and
befooled with a lot of Puseyite cant.
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