in
Baslehurst; but he was by no means willing to use these good gifts in
the manner indicated by the sole existing owner of the concern. Mr.
Tappitt wished that Rowan should learn brewing seated on a stool, and
that the lessons should be purely arithmetical. Luke was instructed
as to the use of certain dull, dingy, disagreeable ledgers, and
informed that in them lay the natural work of a brewer. But he
desired to learn the chemical action of malt and hops upon each
other, and had not been a fortnight in the concern before he
suggested to Mr. Tappitt that by a salutary process, which he
described, the liquor might be made less muddy. "Let us brew good
beer," he had said; and then Tappitt had known that it would not do.
"Yes," said Tappitt, "and sell for twopence a pint what will cost you
threepence to make!" "That's what we've got to look to," said Rowan.
"I believe it can be done for the money,--only one must learn how
to do it." "I've been at it all my life," Tappitt said. "Yes, Mr.
Tappitt; but it is only now that men are beginning to appreciate
all that chemistry can do for them. If you'll allow me I'll make an
experiment on a small scale." After that Mr. Tappitt had declared
emphatically to his wife that Luke Rowan should never become a
partner of his. "He would ruin any business in the world," said
Tappitt. "And as to conceit!" It is true that Rowan was conceited,
and perhaps true also that he would have ruined the brewery had he
been allowed to have his own way.

But Mrs. Tappitt by no means held him in such aversion as did her
husband. He was a well-grown, good-looking young man for whom his
friends had made comfortable provision, and Mrs. Tappitt had three
marriageable daughters. Her ideas on the subject of young men in
general were by no means identical with those held by Mrs. Ray. She
was aware how frequently it happened that a young partner would marry
a daughter of the senior in the house, and it seemed to her that
special provision for such an arrangement was made in this case.
Young Rowan was living in her house, and was naturally thrown into
great intimacy with her girls. It was clear to her quick eye that
he was of a susceptible disposition, fond of ladies' society, and
altogether prone to those pleasant pre-matrimonial conversations,
from the effects of which it is so difficult for an inexperienced
young man to make his escape. Mrs. Tappitt was minded to devote to
him Augusta, the second of her flock,