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 lack sense. He
observed that Adrian was not at present a proper companion for Richard,
and would teach him to look on life from the false point.

"You don't understand a young philosopher," said the baronet.

"A young philosopher's an old fool!" returned Hippias, not thinking that
his growl had begotten a phrase.

His brother smiled with gratification, and applauded him loudly:
"Excellent! worthy of your best days! You're wrong, though, in applying
it to Adrian. He has never been precocious. All he has done has been to
bring sound common sense to bear upon what he hears and sees. I think,
however," the baronet added, "he may want faith in the better qualities
of men." And this reflection inclined him not to let his son be alone
with A