r at Oxford unchanged, and entered life in the year
1833, a younger son with extravagant tastes and expensive habits, with a
reputation for lively talents though uncultivated,--for his acquisitions
at Eton had been quite puerile, and subsequently he had not become a
student,--with many manly accomplishments, and with a mien and visage
that at once took the fancy and enlisted the affections. Indeed a
physiologist would hardly have inferred from the countenance and
structure of Egremont the career he had pursued, or the character which
attached to him. The general cast and expression of his features when in
repose was pensive: an air of refinement distinguished his well-moulded
brow; his mouth breathed sympathy, and his rich brown eye gleamed with
tenderness. The sweetness of his voice in speaking was in harmony with
this organization.

Two years passed in the most refined circles of our society exercised a
beneficial influence on the general tone of Egremont, and may be said
to have finished his education. He had the good sense and the good taste
not to permit his predilection for sports to degenerate into slang; he
yielded himself to the delicate and profitable authority of woman, and,
as ever happens, it softened his manners and brightened his wit. He was
fortunate in having a clever mother, and he appreciated this inestimable
possession. Lady Marney had great knowledge of society, and some
acquaintance with human nature, which she fancied she had fathomed to
its centre; she piqued herself upon her tact, and indeed she was very
quick, but she was so energetic that her art did not always conceal
itself; very worldly, she was nevertheless not devoid of impulse; she
was animated and would have been extremely agreeable, if she had not
restlessly aspired to wit; and would certainly have exercised much
more influence in society, if she had not been so anxious to show it.
Nevertheless, still with many personal charms, a frank and yet, if need
be, a finished manner, a quick brain, a lively tongue, a buoyant spirit,
and a great social position. Lady Marney was universally and extremely
popular; and adored by her children, for indeed she was a mother most
affectionate and true.

When Egremont was four-and-twenty, he fell in love--a real passion. He
had fluttered like others from flower to flower, and like others had
often fancied the last perfume the sweetest, and then had flown away.
But now he was entirely captivated. The div