trying a new course--Eh, Richard? will you come with me? I
should like your company. We could see London together, you know. Enjoy
ourselves," and Hippias rubbed his hands.

Richard smiled at the feeble glimmer of enjoyment promised by his uncle's
eyes, and said he thought it better they should stay where they were--an
answer that might mean anything. Hippias immediately became possessed by
the beguiling project. He went to the baronet, and put the matter before
him, instancing doctors as the object of his journey, not quacks, of
course; and requesting leave to take Richard. Sir Austin was getting
uneasy about his son's manner. It was not natural. His heart seemed to be
frozen: he had no confidences: he appeared to have no ambition--to have
lost the virtues of youth with the poison that had passed out of him. He
was disposed to try what effect a little travelling might have on him,
and had himself once or twice hinted to Richard that it would be good for
him to move about, the young man quietly replying that he did not wish to
quit Raynham at all, which was too strict a fulfilment of his father's
original views in educating him there entirely. On the day that Hippias
made his proposal, Adrian, seconded by Lady Blandish, also made one. The
sweet Spring season stirred in Adrian as well as in others: not to
pastoral measures: to the joys of the operatic world and bravura glories.
He also suggested that it would be advisable to carry Richard to town for
a term, and let him know his position, and some freedom. Sir Austin
weighed the two proposals. He was pretty certain that Richard's passion
was consumed, and that the youth was now only under the burden of its
ashes. He had found against his heart, at the Bellingham inn: a great
lock of golden hair. He had taken it, and the lover, after feeling about
for it with faint hands, never asked for it. This precious lock (Miss
Davenport had thrust it into his hand at Belthorpe as Lucy's last gift),
what sighs and tears it had weathered! The baronet laid it in Richard's
sight one day, and beheld him take it up, turn it over, and drop it down
again calmly, as if he were handling any common curiosity. It pacified
him on that score. The young man's love was dead. Dr. Clifford said
rightly: he wanted distractions. The baronet determined that Richard
should go. Hippias and Adrian then pressed their several suits as to
which should have him. Hippias, when he could forget himself, did not
l