happy. I do not know any way so sure of making others happy as of
being so oneself, to begin with. I do not mean that people are to
be self-absorbed; but they are to drink in nature and life a little.
From a genial, wisely-developed man good things radiate; whereas you
must allow, Milverton, that benevolent people are very apt to be
one-sided and fussy, and not of the sweetest temper if others will
not be good and happy in their way.

Milverton. That is really not fair. Of course, acid, small-minded
people carry their narrow notions and their acidity into their
benevolence. Benevolence is no abstract perfection. Men will
express their benevolence according to their other gifts or want of
gifts. If it is strong, it overcomes other things in the character
which would be hindrances to it; but it must speak in the language
of the soul it is in.

Ellesmere. Come, let us go and see the pigs. I hear them grunting
over their dinners in the farmyard. I like to see creatures who can
be happy without a theory.



CHAPTER VI.



The next time that I came over to Worth-Ashton it was raining, and I
found my friends in the study.

"Well, Dunsford," said Ellesmere, "is it not comfortable to have our