'
'Yes, there is. Till I lived at home, I did not know how impossible
it is to keep clear of old acquaintance. They are good-natured
fellows--that Tritton and the like--and after all that has come and
gone, one would be a brute to cut them entirely, and Maurice is
always after me, and has been more about with them than his mother
knows. Even if I were very different, I should be a link, and though
it might be no great harm if Maurice were a tame mamma's boy--you
see, being the fellow he is, up to anything for a lark, and frantic
about horses--I could never keep him from them. There's no such
great harm in themselves--hearty, good-natured fellows they are--but
there's a worse lot that they meet, and Maurice will go all lengths
whenever he begins. Now, so little as he is now, if I were once
gone, he would never run into their way, and they would never get a
hold of him.'
Mr. Ferrars had unconsciously screwed up his face with dismay, but he
relaxed it, and spoke kindly.
'You are right. It was a mistake to stay at home. Perhaps your
regiment may be stationed elsewhere.'
'I don't know how long it may be called out. If it were but possible
to make a fresh beginning.'
'Did you hear of my brother's suggestion?'
'I wish--but it is useless to talk about that. I could not presume
to ask my father for a commission--Heaven knows when I shall dare to
speak to him!'
'You have not personally asked his pardon after full confession.
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