ut this
time it chanced that he made the acquaintance of Dyce Lashmar. He
listened, presently, to the bio-sociological theory of human life,
believing it to be Lashmar's own, and finding in it a great deal that
was not only intellectually fruitful, but strong in appeal to his
sympathies. Here he saw the reconciliation of his aristocratic
prejudices--which he had little hope of ever overcoming--with the
humanitarian emotion and conviction which were also a natural part of
his being. All this did but contribute to his disquiet. No longer
occupied with definite studies, he often felt time heavy on his hands,
and saw himself more obnoxious than ever to the charge of idleness.
Lashmar, though possibly his ambition had some alloy of self-seeking,
gave an example of intellect applied to the world's behoof; especially
did his views on education, developed in a recent talk at the club,
strike Dymchurch as commendable and likely to have influence. He asked
nothing better than an opportunity of devoting himself to a movement
for educational reform. The abstract now disgusted him well nigh as
much as the too grossly actual. Thus, chancing to open Shelley, he
found with surprise that the poet of his adolescence not merely left
him cold, but seemed verbose and tedious.

Some anxiety about his private affairs aided this mental tendency. Some
time ago, he had been appealed to by the tenant of his Kentish farm for
a reduction of rent, which, on consideration of the facts submitted to
him, he felt unable to refuse. The farmer was now dead, and it was not
without trouble that the land had been leased again on the same reduced
terms; moreover, the new tenant seemed to be a not very satisfactory
man, and Dymchurch had to consider the possibility that this part of
his small income might become uncertain, or fail him altogether. Now
and then he entertained the thought of studying agriculture, living
upon his farm, and earning bread in the sweat of his brow; but a little
talk with practical men showed him all the difficulties of such an
undertaking. So far as his own day-to-day life was concerned, he felt
small need of money; but it constantly worried him to think of his
sisters down in Somerset, their best years going by, not indeed in
actual want, but with so little of the brightness or hope natural to
ladies of their birth. They did not appear unhappy; like him, they had
a preference for the tranquil mode of life; none the less, he saw how