m
Ouzelford), lest, once there again, I should not have strength to leave
it; and here I am." Darrell paused, then repeated, in brisk emphatic
tone, "Parliament? No. Labour? No. Fellow-man, I am about to confess
to you: I would snatch back some days of youth,--a wintry likeness of
youth, better than none. Old friend, let us amuse ourselves! When I
was working hard, hard, hard! it was you who would say: 'Come forth, be
amused,'--you! happy butterfly that you were! Now, I say to you, 'Show
me this flaunting town that you know so well; initiate me into the joys
of polite pleasures, social commune,

"'Dulce mihi furere est amico."

You have amusements,--let me share them.'"

"Faith," quoth the Colonel, crossing his legs, "you come late in the
day! Amusements cease to amuse at last. I have tried all, and begin to
be tired. I have had my holiday, exhausted its sports; and you, coming
from books and desk fresh into the playground, say, 'Football and
leapfrog.' Alas! my poor friend, why did not you come sooner?"

DARRELL.--"One word, one question. You have made EASE a philosophy and a
system; no man ever did so with more felicitous grace: nor, in following
pleasure, have you parted company with conscience and shame. A fine
gentleman ever, in honour as in elegance. Well, are you satisfied with
your choice of life? Are you happy?"

"Happy! who is? Satisfied, perhaps."

"Is there any one you envy,--whose choice, other than your own, you
would prefer?"

"Certainly."

"Who?"

"You."

"I!" said Darrell, opening his eyes with unaffected amaze. "I! envy me!
prefer my choice!"

COLONEL MORLEY (peevishly).--"Without doubt. You have had gratified
ambition, a great career. Envy you! who would not? Your own objects in
life fulfilled: you coveted distinction,--you won it; fortune,--your
wealth is immense; the restoration of your name and lineage from
obscurity and humiliation,--are not name and lineage again written in
the _Libro d'oro_? What king would not hail you as his counsellor? What
senate not open its ranks to admit you as a chief? What house, though
the haughtiest in the land, would not accept your alliance? And withal,
you stand before me stalwart and unbowed, young blood still in your
veins. Ungrateful man, who would not change lots with Guy Darrell? Fame,
fortune, health, and, not to flatter you, a form and presence that
would be remarked, though you stood in that black frock by the side of a
monarch in