sought for--the elixir of life, or the philosopher's stone that would
convert all things into gold. It was not that he himself had any desire
for a long life, still less did he yearn for more wealth than he
possessed, but he fondly believed that these discoveries would ameliorate
the condition of mankind.

He did not see that if gold was as plentiful as the commonest metal it
would cease to be more valuable than others, or that the boon of a long
life would not add to the happiness of mankind. For some years he gave
little thought to his son, who was left to such care as the old
housekeeper and the still older man-servant chose to bestow upon him, and
who, in consequence, was left altogether to follow the dictates of his own
fancy. The child, therefore, lived almost entirely in the open air,
played, tussled, and fought with boys of his own age in the village, and
grew up healthy, sturdy, and active. His father scarcely took any heed of
his existence until the prior of the Convent of St. Alwyth one day called
upon him.

"What are you going to do with your boy, Mr. Ormskirk?" he asked.

"My boy?" the student repeated in tones of surprise. "Oh, yes; Edgar, of
course. What am I going to do with him? Well, I have never thought about
it. Does he want anything? My housekeeper always sees to that. Do you
think that he wants a nurse?"

"A nurse, Mr. Ormskirk!" the Prior said with a smile. "A nurse would have
a hard time with him. Do you know what his age is?"

"Four or five years old, I suppose."