neighborhood of the
universities: when at a proper age and in proper company, your occasional
indulgence at cards I could not object to, as both your father and myself
sometimes resort to it as an amusement, but never in low company. The
consequence of mingling in such society is, that you were cheated, and
such will always be your lot unless you confine yourself to associates
more becoming your rank and illustrious name.

"As to Francis, I see every reason to condemn the course he has taken.
Being the senior by a year, he should have taken the means to prevent your
falling into such company; and he should have acquainted me immediately
with your loss, in place of wounding your pride by subjecting you to the
mortification of receiving a pecuniary obligation from one so little older
than yourself, and exposing his own health by a diet on bread and water,
as you wrote me, for a whole month. Both the general and myself are
seriously displeased with him, and think of separating you, as you thus
connive at each other's follies."

George was too indignant to conceal this letter and the reflections of
Francis were dreadful.

For a short time he actually meditated suicide, as the only method of
removing himself from before the advancement of George. Had not George
been more attentive and affectionate than formerly, the awful expedient
might have been resorted to.

From college the young men went, one into the army and the other to the
mansion of his uncle. George became an elegant, gay, open-hearted, admired
captain in the guards; and Francis stalked through the halls of his
ancestors, their acknowledged future lord, but a misanthrope; hateful to
himself and disagreeable to all around him.

This picture may be highly wrought, but the effects, in the case of
Francis, were increased by the peculiar tone of his diseased state of
mind. The indulgence of favoritism, nevertheless, always brings its own
sad consequences, in a greater or less degree, while it seldom fails to
give sorrow and penitence to the bosom of the parents.

Chapter XLIII.

No little art and management had been necessary to make the admiral
auxiliary to the indirect plan proposed by his friend to bring George and
Isabel together. This, however, effected, the general turned his whole
strategy to the impression to be made on the heart of the young gentleman.

Sir Frederick Denbigh had the same idea of the virtue of management as the
Dowager Lady