 him in the evenings to follow the courses of lectures
given to working men at the School of Mines. In this way the lad would be kept
constantly occupied, he would learn the meaning of work and study, and when he
became of age would be in a position to take up some capitalist enterprise. Thus
he might float clear of the shoals of blackguardism and develop into a tolerable
member of society, at all events using his wealth in the direct employment of
labour.
    We have seen Richard engaged in æsthetic speculation; now we behold him
busied in the training of a representative capitalist. But the world would be a
terrible place if the men of individual energy were at all times consistent.
Richard knew well enough that in planning thus for his brother's future he was
inconsistency itself; but then the matter at issue concerned someone in whom he
had a strong personal interest, and consequently he took counsel of facts. When
it was only the world at large that he was bent on benefiting, too shrewd a
sifting of arguments was not called for, and might seriously have interfered
with his oratorical effects. In regulating private interests one cares
singularly little for anything but hard demonstration and the logic of cause and
effect.
    It was now more than a month since 'Arry had been removed from the
drain-pipes and set going on his new course, and Richard was watching the
experiment gravely. Connected with it was his exceptional stay at Wanley over
the Sunday; he designed to go up to London quite unexpectedly about the middle
of the ensuing week, that he might see how things worked in his absence. It is
true there had been another inducement to remain in the village, for Richard had
troubles of his own in addition to those imposed upon him by his family. The
Manor was now at his disposal; as soon as he had furnished it there was no
longer a reason for delaying his marriage. In appearance, that is to say;
inwardly there had been growing for some weeks reasons manifold. They tormented
him. For the first time in his life he had begun to sleep indifferently; when he
had resolutely put from his mind thought of Alice and 'Arry, and seemed ready
for repose, there crept out of less obvious lurking-places subtle temptations
and suggestions which fevered his blood and only allured the more, the more they
disquieted him. This Sunday night was the worst he had yet known. When he left
the Walthams, he occupied himself for an hour or two in writing letters,
resolutely subduing his thoughts to the subjects of his correspondence. Then he
ate supper, and
