‘I tell you, sir,’ said Osborne, in the irritable tone he sometimes used when his father was particularly unreasonable, ’it is not me Lord Hollingford is inviting; it is Roger.  Roger is making himself known for what he is, a first-rate fellow,’ continued Osborne—­a sting of self-reproach mingling with his generous pride in his brother—­’and he is getting himself a name; he’s been writing about these new French theories and discoveries, and this foreign savant very naturally wants to make his acquaintance, and so Lord Hollingford asks him to dine.  It’s as clear as can be,’ lowering his tone, and addressing himself to Roger, ’it has nothing to do with politics, if my father would but see it.’

Of course the squire heard this little aside with the unlucky uncertainty of hearing which is a characteristic of the beginning of deafness; and its effect on him was perceptible in the increased acrimony of his next speech.

’You young men think you know everything.  I tell you it’s a palpable Whig trick.  And what business has Roger—­if it is Roger the man wants—­ to go currying favour with the French?  In my day we were content to hate ’em and to lick ’em.  But it’s just like your conceit, Osborne, setting yourself up to say it’s your younger brother they’re asking, and not you; I tell you it’s you.  They think the eldest son was sure to be called after his father, Roger—­Roger Hamley, junior.  It’s as plain as a pike-staff.  They know they can’t catch me with chaff, but they’ve got up this French dodge.  What business had you to go writing about the French, Roger?  I should have thought you were too sensible to take any notice of their fancies and theories; but if it is you they’ve asked, I’ll not have you going and meeting these foreigners at a Whig house.  They ought to have asked Osborne.  He’s the representative of the Hamleys, if I’m not; and they can’t get me, let them try ever so.  Besides, Osborne has got a bit of the mounseer about him, which he caught with being so fond of going off to the Continent, instead of coming back to his good old English home.’

He went on, repeating much of what he had said before, till he left the room.  Osborne had kept on replying to his unreasonable grumblings, which had only added to his anger; and as soon as the squire had fairly gone, Osborne turned to Roger, and said,—­

’Of course you’ll go, Roger? ten to one he’ll be in another mind to-morrow.’

‘No,’ said Roger, bluntly enough—­for he was extremely disappointed; ’I won’t run the chance of vexing him.  I shall refuse.’

‘Don’t be such a fool!’ exclaimed Osborne.  ’Really, my father is too unreasonable.  You heard how he kept contradicting himself; and such a man as you to be kept under like a child by—­’

‘Don’t let us talk any more about it, Osborne,’ said Roger, writing away fast.  When the note was written, and sent off, he came and put his hand caressingly on Osborne’s shoulder, as he sate pretending to read, but in reality vexed with both his father and his brother, though on very different grounds.