Page:Paul Clifford Vol 2.djvu/73

Rh idlest of men, "the judgeship is not an easy sinecure."

"No! but there is less demand on the mind in that station, than in my present one;" and Brandon paused before he continued. "Candidly, Mauleverer, you do not think they will deceive me! you do not think they mean to leave me to this political death without writing 'Resurgam' over the hatchment?"

"They dare not!" said Mauleverer, quaffing his fourth glass of Madeira.

"Well! I have decided on my change of life," said the lawyer, with a slight sigh.

"So have I on my change of opinion," chimed in the Earl. "I will tell you what opinions seem to me like."

"What?" said Brandon abstractedly.

"Trees!" answered Mauleverer, quaintly; "if they can be made serviceable by standing, don't part with a stick; but when they are of that growth that sells well, or whenever they shut out a fine prospect, cut them down, and pack them off by all manner of means!—And now for the second course."