DOST THOU START AT LIFE'S ONSET? GIVE THY
SINEWS A MIND THAT CONCEIVES THE HEROIC, AND WHAT NOBLE THINGS THOU
MAYST DO, BUT VALUE THY SINEWS FOR RUDE STRENGTH ALONE, AND THAT
STRENGTH MAY BE TURNED TO THY SHAME AND THY TORTURE. THE WEALTH OF
THY LIFE WILL BUT TEMPT TO ITS WASTE. ABUSE, AT FIRST FELT NOT,
WILL POISON THE USES OF SENSE. WILD BULLS GORE AND TRAMPLE THEIR
FOES. THOU HAST SOUL! WILT THOU TRAMPLE AND GORE IT?

Jasper Losely, on quitting his father, spent his last coins in payment
for his horse's food, and in fiery drink for himself. In haste he
mounted--in haste he spurred on to London; not even pence for the
toll-bars. Where he found the gates open, he dashed through them
headlong; where closed, as the night advanced, he forced his horse
across the fields over hedge and ditch--more than once the animal
falling with him--more than once thrown from the saddle; for, while a
most daring, he was not a very practised rider; but it was not easy to
break bones so strong, and though bruised and dizzy, he continued his
fierce way. At morning his horse was thoroughly exhausted, and at the
first village he reached after sunrise he left the poor beast at an inn,
and succeeded in borrowing of the landlord L1 on the pawn of the horse
thus left as hostage. Resolved to husband this sum, he performed the
rest of his journey on foot. He reached London at night, and went
straight to Cutts' lodgings. Cutts was, however, in the club-room of
those dark associates against whom Losely had been warned. Oblivious
of his solemn promise to Arabella, Jasper startled the revellers as he
stalked into the room, and towards the chair of honour at the far end of
it, on which he had been accustomed to lord it over the fell groups he
had treated out of Poole's purse. One of the biggest and most redoubted
of the Black Family was now in that seat of dignity, and refusing
surlily to yield it at Jasper's rude summons, was seized by the scruff
of the neck, and literally hurled on the table in front, coming down
with clatter and clash amongst mugs and glasses. Jasper seated himself
coolly, while the hubbub began to swell--and roared for drink. An old
man, who served as drawer to these cavaliers, went out to obey the
order; and when he was gone, those near the door swung across it a heavy
bar. Wrath against the domineering intruder was gathering, and waited
but the moment to explode. Jasper, turning round his bloodshot eyes; saw
Cutt