d be left
to beat and to blend alone. And from that hour I am convinced that
Augustine Caxton acquired a stouter philosophy than that of the Stoics.
The fortitude that concealed pain was no longer needed, for the pain was
no longer felt.

CHAPTER V.

Mr. Squills and I performed our journey without adventure, and as we
were not alone on the coach, with little conversation. We put up at
a small inn in the City, and the next morning I sallied forth to see
Trevanion; for we agreed that he would be the best person to advise
us. But on arriving at St. James's Square I had the disappointment of
hearing that the whole family had gone to Paris three days before, and
were not expected to return till the meeting of Parliament.

This was a sad discouragement, for I had counted much on Trevanion's
clear head and that extraordinary range of accomplishment in all matters
of business--all that related to practical life--which my old patron
pre-eminently possessed. The next thing would be to find Trevanion's
lawyer (for Trevanion was one of those men whose solicitors are sure to
be able and active). But the fact was that he left so little to lawyers
that he had never had occasion to communicate with one since I had known
him, and I was therefore in ignorance of the very name of his solicitor;
nor could the porter, who was left in charge of the house, enlighten me.
Luckily, I bethought myself of Sir Sedley Beaudesert, who could scarcely
fail to give me the information required, and who, at all events, might
recommend to me some other lawyer. So to him I went.

I found Sir Sedley at breakfast with a young gentleman who seemed about
twenty. The good baronet was delighted to see me; but I thought it was
with a little confusion, rare to his cordial ease, that he presented me
to his cousin, Lord Castleton. It was a name familiar to me, though I
had never before met its patrician owner.

The Marquis of Castleton was indeed a subject of envy to young idlers,
and afforded a theme of interest to gray-bearded politicians. Often had
I heard of "that lucky fellow Castleton," who when of age would step
into one of those colossal fortunes which would realize the dreams of
Aladdin,--a fortune that had been out to nurse since his minority.
Often had I heard graver gossips wonder whether Castleton would take
any active part in public life,--whether he would keep up the family
influence. His mother (still alive) was a superior woman, and had
d