, and he determined to be more strict with him for the future,
and broke his resolution the next minute.

Algernon Hurdlestone's life had been spent in making and breaking good
resolutions. No wonder that he felt such a difficulty in keeping this.
If we would remedy a fault, the reformation must be commenced on the
instant. We must not give ourselves time to think over the matter, for
if we do, nine chances out of ten, that we never carry our intentions
into practice. Algernon often drank to excess, and too often suffered
his young son to be a spectator of his criminal weakness. Godfrey was
his constant companion both in hunting-parties and at the table; and the
boy greatly enjoyed the coarse jokes and vulgar hilarity of the
roystering uproarious country squires, who, to please the rich father,
never failed to praise the witticisms of the son.

Thus the disposition of the child was corrupted, his tastes vitiated,
his feelings blunted, and the fine affections of the heart destroyed at
the age of ten years.

Algernon was so fond of him, so vain of his fine person and quick parts,
that it blinded him to his many faults. He seldom noticed his habitual
want of respect to himself, or the unfeeling and sarcastic remarks of
the audacious lad on his own peculiar failings. To a stranger, Godfrey
Hurdlestone presented the painful anomaly of the address and cunning of
the man animating the breast of a child.

He inherited nothing in common with his father, but his profusion and
love of company; and was utterly destitute of that kindliness of
disposition and real warmth of heart, that so strongly characterised his
too indulgent parent, and pleaded an excuse for many of his failings. He
was still more unlike his cousin Anthony, although personally they could
scarcely be known apart. The latter was serious and thoughtful beyond
his years; was fond of quiet and retirement, preferring a book or a
solitary walk to romping with Godfrey and his boisterous companions. He
had been a child of sorrow, and acquainted with grief; and though he was
happy now--too happy, he was wont to say--the cloud which ushered in his
dawn of life still cast its dark shadow over the natural gaiety and
sunshine of his heart.

His mind was like a rich landscape seen through a soft summer mist,
which revealed just enough of the beautiful as to make the observer wish
to behold more.

Gentle, truthful, and most winningly affectionate, Anthony had to be
known