his wife, be it observed; rode to the meet occasionally as if by
accident, although he was as well mounted as any squire among them,
and was often persuaded (after a little coquetting about
"professional engagements," and "being wanted at the office") to have
a run with his clients; nay, once or twice he forgot his usual
caution, was first in at the death, and rode home with the brush.
But in general he knew his place; as his place was held to be in that
aristocratic county, and in those days.  Nor let be supposed that he
was in any way a toadeater.  He respected himself too much for that.
He would give the most unpalatable advice, if need were; would
counsel an unsparing reduction of expenditure to an extravagant man;
would recommend such an abatement of family pride as paved the way
for one or two happy marriages in some instances; nay, what was the
most likely piece of conduct of all to give offence forty years ago,
he would speak up for an unjustly-used tenant; and that with so much
temperate and well-timed wisdom and good feeling, that he more than
once gained his point.  He had one son, Edward.  This boy was the
secret joy and pride of his father's heart.  For himself he was not
in the least ambitious, but it did cost him a hard struggle to
acknowledge that his own business was too lucrative, and brought in