through the ceremony, made a short speech, came on at once to London, not
venturing to diverge to Fawley (which is not very far from Ouzelford),
lest, once there again, I should not have strength to leave it; and here
I am." Darrell paused, then repeated, in brisk emphatic tone,
"Parliament? No. Labour? No. Fellow-man, I am about to confess to
you: I would snatch back some days of youth,--a wintry likeness of youth,
better than none. Old friend, let us amuse ourselves! When I was
working hard, hard, hard! it was you who would say: 'Come forth, be
amused,'--you! happy butterfly that you were! Now, I say to you, 'Show
me this flaunting town that you know so well; initiate me into the joys
of polite pleasures, social commune,

"'Dulce mihi furere est amico."

You have amusements,--let me share them.'"

"Faith," quoth the Colonel, crossing his legs, "you come late in the day!
Amusements cease to amuse at last. I have tried all, and begin to be
tired. I have had my holiday, exhausted its sports; and you, coming from
books and desk fresh into the playground, say, 'Football and leapfrog.'
Alas! my poor friend, why did not you come sooner?"

DARRELL.--"One word, one question. You have made EASE a philosophy and a
system; no man ever did so with more felicitous grace: nor, in following
pleasure, have you parted company with conscience and shame. A fine
gentleman ever, in honour as in elegance. Well, are you satisfied with
your choice of life? Are you happy?"

"Happy! who is? Satisfied, perhaps."