for I can't imagine that I shall ever feel towards anyone else in
the same way, and--you will smile, no doubt--I have a conviction
that Irene Derwent will remain my ideal as long as I live."

Enough of that. It being quite clear to me that I simply could not
go in for the examination, I hit upon another scheme; one, it seemed
to me, which might not altogether displease you. I went to see Mr.
Tadworth, and told him that I had decided to go back into business;
could he, I asked, think of giving me a place in their office at
Odessa? If necessary, I would work without salary till I had
thoroughly learned Russian, and could substantially serve them.
Well, Mr. Tadworth was very kind, and, after a little questioning,
promised to send me out to Odessa in some capacity or other, still
to be determined. I am to go in about ten days.

"This, father, is my final decision. I shall give myself to the
business, heartily and energetically. I think there is no harm in
telling you that I hope to make money. If I do so, it will be done,
I think, honourably, as the result of hard work. I had better not
see you; I should be ashamed. But I beg you will write to me soon. I
hope I shall not have overtried your patience. Bear with me, if you
can, and give me the encouragement I value."

Jerome pondered long. He looked anything but displeased: there was
tenderness in his smile, and sympathy; something, too, of pride.
Very much against his usual practice, he wrote a reply the same day.

"So be it, my dear lad! I have no fault to find, no criticism to
offer. Your letter is an honest one, and it has much moved me. Let
me just say this: you rightly doubt whether you should call yourself