employ the vast wealth given to you--how best to serve your God, your
country and those who will depend upon you."

"Solomon in petticoats!" cried Basil, gaily, and Marion joined in his
laugh.

That conversation gave Lady Carruthers many uneasy moments. She
understood so well the dreamy, yet ardent, romantic temperament of the
boy.

"What shall I make of him?" she said. "Will he ever learn to live
contentedly here at Ulverston, doing his duty, as Marion says, to God
and man? My poor Basil, he lives too late!"

She asked advice from those best fitted to give it. One and all said the
same thing; there would be nothing so useful for him as a tour on the
Continent, seeing plenty of the world and going into society.

So Lady Carruthers, who loved home very dearly, gave up its peaceful
tranquillity, and went with Basil and Miss Hautville to Paris, where
they remained some months until they saw all that was most brilliant in
that brilliant capital; from there to Berlin; then on to Vienna, and
Basil lost much of his dreamy nature.

He was eager, ardent, impetuous, longing, as is the fashion of young
men, to do brave deeds, to be a great hero, and not in the least knowing
what to do.

He was just twenty when they returned home, at the commencement of the
year; Lady Carruthers, worn out with travel and excitement, longing for