had existed between the brothers, into bitter hatred; and he secretly
settled in his own mind the distribution of his father's property.

And Algernon, the gay thoughtless favorite of his kind but imprudent
mother, was perfectly indifferent to the love or hatred of his elder
brother. He did not himself regard him with affection, and he expected
nothing from him, beyond the passive acquiescence in his welfare which
the ties of consanguinity generally give. If he did not seek in his twin
brother a friend and bosom-counsellor, he never imagined it possible
that he could act the part of an enemy. Possessing less talent than
Mark, he was generous, frank, and confiding. He loved society, in which
he was formed by nature to shine and become a general favorite. His
passion for amusement led him into extravagance and dissipation; and it
was apparent to all who knew him, best that he was more likely to spend
a fortune than acquire one.

Algernon had received, with his brother, a good classical education from
his uncle, a younger brother of his father's, who had been brought up
for the Church, and taken several degrees at Oxford, but had reduced
himself to comparative indigence by his imprudence and extravagance.
Alfred Hurdlestone would have made a good soldier, but, unfortunately
for him, there were several valuable church-livings in the family; and
his father refused to provide for him in any other way. The young man's
habits and inclinations being at war with the sacred profession chosen
for him, he declined entering upon holy orders, which so enraged his
father, that he forbade him the house; and at his death, left him a
small life-annuity, sufficient with economy to keep him from starvation,
but not enough to maintain him respectably without some profession.

For several years, Alfred Hurdlestone depended upon the generosity of a