n advocate also; such an arrant
anti-optimist was the pestilent fellow. As if Civilization, after
thousands of years of travail, had produced nothing better than a clumsy
abortion with the claws of an animal and the tastes of Jack-an-ape! Why,
the man must be mad, to have such irregular fancies! It was a pity laws
against opinions were not oftener put in force: then--a click of the
guillotine, and the world would have peace!

Rick listened grimly, and made a note of the imagery. "You will remember
it better in black and white," said he.

* * * * *

In the course of years Dick became a churchwarden and a philanthropist
(he took the infection very mildly and in its most agreeable form), and
a highly respected gambler on, or rather member of, the Stock Exchange.
He was also joined "in the bands of holy matrimony" to a buxom young
widow who was left-handedly connected with The Aristocracy Itself! The
lady brought him a most desirable fortune to start with, and after some
years made him a present of twins: so that Dick was now a notable man
among his acquaintances, and had the ambition to become a bigger man
still, by-and-by: a Common Councilman certainly, and an Alderman
_perhaps_!

Meanwhile Rick had developed into a musty _savant_: a fellow whose
tastes, if you might call them such, were of the most _outre_ order--in
advance of everything that was sober, respectable, and conventional; and
in aggressive alliance with everything that was disturbing, and that
was maliciously and wickedly critical (said the saints).

"The kernel of his life is unhealthy," said his brother: "it has a
deadly fungus growing in it, I am afraid."

"The fungus of discontent, dear friend," said the clergyman.

"I am afraid so," said Dick, with a prodigious great sigh. "Still, we
must none the less pray for him unceasingly: for prayer availeth much,
as we know."

The clergyman dramatically clasped his white hands together, looking up
as one who speechlessly admires.

* * * * *

Rick sat musing in his gloomy study: thinking of the ladder he had
climbed, and of the scenery of his life that now stretched out like a
map before him.

Presently the study door opened softly, and a Figure came in and took a
chair at his side.

"You have come, then!" said Rick. "I thought your coming must be near."

"Shall we start?" asked the Figure.

"I am ready," answered Rick.

And they pass