But as against those who make the laws, and take good care to enforce them, even you (though of the upper rank here) must be counted of the lower order.

For instance, can you look at a pheasant, or a hare, without being put into prison?
Can you dine in the same room with Admiral Darling, or ask how his gout is, without being stared at ?" "No, sir.

He would think it a great impertinence, even if I dared to do such a thing.

But my father might do it, as a tenant and old neighbour.
Though he never gets the gout, when he rides about so much." "What a matter-of-fact youth it is! But to come to things every man has a right to.

If you saved the life of one of the Admiral's daughters, and she fell in love with you, as young people will, would you dare even lift your eyes to her?
Would you not be kicked out of the house and the parish, if you dared to indulge the right of every honest heart?
Would you dare to look upon her as a human being, of the same order of creation as yourself, who might one day be your wife, if you were true and honest, and helped to break down the absurd distinctions built up by vile tyranny between you?
In a word, are you a man--as every man is on the Continent--or only an English slave, of the lower classes ?" The hot flush of wrath, and the soft glow of shame, met and deepened each other on the fair cheeks of this "slave"; while his mind would not come to him to make a fit reply.