The youth, bred up at a distance, and then the companion of his step-
father, had on his return found his home painfully altered in his two
years' absence, and had been galled and grieved by the state of things,
so that even apart from the clearing of his prospects, the relief was
great. The quarrel with Colonel Mar that Mr. Wayland had interrupted
was not made up. There was no opportunity, for Mr. Wayland at once
removed his family to Bowstead, there to remain while he transacted
his business in London.
Moreover Mr. Belamour and Mr. Wayland agreed in selling the young
baronet's commission. The Major allowed that it was impossible
that he should remain under the command of his present Colonel, but
regretted that he should not continue in the service, declaring it
the best school for a young man, and that he did not want to see
his son-in-law a muddle-brained sporting country squire. He would
have had Sir Amyas exchange into the line, and see a little service
before settling down, but Maria Theresa had not as yet set Europe in
a blaze, and in the absence of a promising war Sir Amyas did more
incline to his uncle's representations of duties to tenants and to
his county, and was even ready to prepare himself for them when he
should be of sufficient age to undertake them.
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