"You have been very kind, Sir, in offering me the benefit of your
experience," he began. "I want a word of advice."
"Suppose you take it sitting?" suggested Sir Patrick. "Get a chair." His
sharp eyes followed Arnold with an expression of malicious enjoyment.
"Wants my advice?" he thought. "The young humbug wants nothing of the
sort--he wants my niece."
Arnold sat down under Sir Patrick's eye, with a well-founded suspicion
that he was destined to suffer, before he got up again, under Sir
Patrick's tongue.
"I am only a young man," he went on, moving uneasily in his chair, "and
I am beginning a new life--"
"Any thing wrong with the chair?" asked Sir Patrick. "Begin your new
life comfortably, and get another."
"There's nothing wrong with the chair, Sir. Would you--"
"Would I keep the chair, in that case? Certainly."
"I mean, would you advise me--"
"My good fellow, I'm waiting to advise you. (I'm sure there's something
wrong with that chair. Why be obstinate about it? Why not get another?)"
"Please don't notice the chair, Sir Patrick--you put me out. I want--in
short--perhaps it's a curious question--"
"I can't say till I have heard it," remarked Sir Patrick.
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