 naturally an
active Hotspur temperament, which did not crave liquid fire to set it a-glow;
his impetuosity was usually equal to an exciting occasion without any such
reinforcements; and his desire for the brandy-and-water implied that the too
sudden joy had fallen with a dangerous shock on a frame depressed by four years
of gloom and unaccustomed hard fare. But that first doubtful tottering moment
passed, he seemed to gather strength with his gathering excitement; and the next
day, when he was seated at table with his creditors, his eye kindling and his
cheek flushed with the consciousness that he was about to make an honourable
figure once more, he looked more like the proud, confident, warm-hearted and
warm-tempered Tulliver of old times, than might have seemed possible to any one
who had met him a week before, riding along as had been his wont for the last
four years since the sense of failure and debt had been upon him - with his head
hanging down, casting brief, unwilling looks on those who forced themselves on
his notice. He made his speech, asserting his honest principles with his old
confident eagerness, alluding to the rascals and the luck that had been against
him, but that he had triumphed over, to some extent, by hard efforts and the aid
of a good son; and winding up with the story of how Tom had got the best part of
the needful money. But the streak of irritation and hostile triumph seemed to
melt for a little while into purer fatherly pride and pleasure, when, Tom's
health having been proposed, and uncle Deane having taken occasion to say a few
words of eulogy on his general character and conduct, Tom himself got up and
made the single speech of his life. It could hardly have been briefer: he
thanked the gentlemen for the honour they had done him. He was glad that he had
been able to help his father in proving his integrity and regaining his honest
name; and, for his own part, he hoped he should never undo that work and
disgrace that name. But the applause that followed was so great, and Tom looked
so gentlemanly as well as tall and straight, that Mr. Tulliver remarked, in an
explanatory manner, to his friends on his right and left, that he had spent a
deal of money on his son's education.
    The party broke up in very sober fashion at five o'clock. Tom remained in St
Ogg's to attend to some business, and Mr. Tulliver mounted his horse to go home,
and describe the memorable things that
