nd except an aunt who had brought him up, and a
married sister several years older than himself, he had no
near relations in the world. He was simply a medical student,
with nothing to look forward to but pushing his own way, and
making his own path in life as best he could. But he had
plenty of talent, and worked hard at his profession, to which
he was devoted for reasons quite unconnected with any
considerations of possible profit and loss. Indeed, having
just enough money of his own to make him tolerably
independent, he was wont to ignore all such considerations in
his grand youthful way, and to look upon his profession from a
purely abstract scientific point of view. And yet he was not
without large hopes, grand vague ambitions concerning his
future career; for he was at an age when it seems so much
easier to become one of the few enumerated great ones of the
world than to remain amongst the nameless forgotten
multitudes; and life lay before him rather as something
definite, which he could take up and fashion to his own
pleasure, than as a succession of days and years which would
inevitably mould and influence him in their course. It is not
wholly conceit, perhaps, which so assures these clever lads of
the vastness of their untried capabilities, that there are
moments when they feel as if they could grasp heaven and earth
in their wide consciousness; it is rather a want of experience
and clearness of perception. Horace Graham was not
particularly conceited, and yet, in common with many other men
of his age, he had a conviction that, in some way or other,
life had great exceptional prizes in store for him; and indeed
he was so strong, and young, and honest-hearted, that he had
been successful enough hitherto within his narrow limits. He
had pleasant manners, too, and a pleasant face, which gained
him as many friends as he ever cared to have; for he had a
queer, reserved, unsociable twist in his character, which kept
him aloof from much company, and rather spoilt his reputation
for geniality and heartiness. He hated the hard work he had to
go through in society; so at least he was wont to grumble, and
then would add, laughing, "I daresay I am a conceited puppy to
say so: but the fact is, there are not six people in the world
whose company I would prefer to my own for a whole day."

He found his own company quite sufficient during all his
wanderings through that long summer's day in the lovely
country round Chaudf