arms, or a head awry, or a trick of jumping; and some of them are
extraordinarily addicted to these feats; but for all they do the end is
the same, for necessity rules, that exactly so, under stress of activity
must the doll Nevil, the doll Everard, or the dolliest of dolls, fair
woman, behave. The automatic creature is subject to the laws of its
construction, you perceive. It can this, it can that, but it cannot leap
out of its mechanism. One definition of the art is, humour made easy, and
that may be why Cecil Baskelett indulged in it, and why it is popular
with those whose humour consists of a readiness to laugh.

The fun between Cecil Baskelett and Mr. Romfrey over the doll Nevil
threatened an intimacy and community of sentiment that alarmed Rosamund
on behalf of her darling's material prospects. She wrote to him,
entreating him to come to Steynham. Nevil Beauchamp replied to her both
frankly and shrewdly: 'I shall not pretend that I forgive my uncle
Everard, and therefore it is best for me to keep away. Have no fear. The
baron likes a man of his own tastes: they may laugh together, if it suits
them; he never could be guilty of treachery, and to disinherit me would
be that. If I were to become his open enemy to-morrow, I should look on
the estates as mine-unless I did anything to make him disrespect me. You
will not suppose it likely. I foresee I shall want money. As for Cecil, I
give him as much rope as he cares to have. I know very well Everard
Romfrey will see where the point of likeness between them stops. I apply
for a ship the moment I land.'

To test Nevil's judgement of his uncle, Rosamund ventured on showing this
letter to Mr. Romfrey. He read it, and said nothing, but subsequently
asked, from time to time, 'Has he got his ship yet?' It assured her that
Nevil was not wrong, and dispelled her notion of the vulgar imbroglio of
a rich uncle and two thirsty nephews. She was hardly less relieved in
reflecting that he could read men so soberly and accurately. The
desperation of the youth in love had rendered her one little bit doubtful
of the orderliness of his wits. After this she smiled on Cecil's
assiduities. Nevil obtained his appointment to a ship bound for the coast
of Africa to spy for slavers. He called on his uncle in London, and spent
the greater part of the hour's visit with Rosamund; seemed cured of his
passion, devoid of rancour, glad of the prospect of a run among the
slaving hulls. He and his uncl