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Ordeal of Richard Feverel — Volume 3 by George Meredith
page 53 of 97 (54%)
eyes, and said he thought it better they should stay where they were--an
answer that might mean anything. Hippias immediately became possessed by
the beguiling project. He went to the baronet, and put the matter before
him, instancing doctors as the object of his journey, not quacks, of
course; and requesting leave to take Richard. Sir Austin was getting
uneasy about his son's manner. It was not natural. His heart seemed to
be frozen: he had no confidences: he appeared to have no ambition--to
have lost the virtues of youth with the poison that had passed out of
him. He was disposed to try what effect a little travelling might have
on him, and had himself once or twice hinted to Richard that it would be
good for him to move about, the young man quietly replying that he did
not wish to quit Raynham at all, which was too strict a fulfilment of his
father's original views in educating him there entirely. On the day that
Hippias made his proposal, Adrian, seconded by Lady Blandish, also made
one. The sweet Spring season stirred in Adrian as well as in others: not
to pastoral measures: to the joys of the operatic world and bravura
glories. He also suggested that it would be advisable to carry Richard
to town for a term, and let him know his position, and some freedom. Sir
Austin weighed the two proposals. He was pretty certain that Richard's
passion was consumed, and that the youth was now only under the burden of
its ashes. He had found against his heart, at the Bellingham inn: a
great lock of golden hair. He had taken it, and the lover, after feeling
about for it with faint hands, never asked for it. This precious lock
(Miss Davenport had thrust it into his hand at Belthorpe as Lucy's last
gift), what sighs and tears it had weathered! The baronet laid it in
Richard's sight one day, and beheld him take it up, turn it over, and
drop it down again calmly, as if he were handling any common curiosity.
It pacified him on that score. The young man's love was dead. Dr.
Clifford said rightly: he wanted distractions. The baronet determined
that Richard should go. Hippias and Adrian then pressed their several
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