you--of any one from the great world--but especially of one whose rich
vitality of youth and hope affronts and mocks my own fatigued exhaustion,
would but irritate, unsettle, torture me. When I am quite well I will
ask you to come. I shall enjoy your visit. Till then, on no account,
and on no pretext, let my morbid ear catch the sound of your footfall on
my quiet floor. Write to me often, but tell me nothing of the news and
gossip of the world. Tell me only of yourself, your studies, your
thoughts, your sentiments, your wishes. Nor forget my injunctions.
Marry young, marry for love; let no ambition of power, no greed of gold,
ever mislead you into giving to your life a companion who is not the half
of your soul. Choose with the heart of a man; I know that you will
choose with the self-esteem of a gentleman; and be assured beforehand of
the sympathy and sanction of your 'CHURLISH BUT LOVING KINSMAN.'"

After this letter, Lionel felt that, at all events, he could not at once
proceed to the old manor-house in defiance of its owner's prohibition.
He wrote briefly, entreating Darrell to forgive him if he persisted in
the prayer to be received at Fawley, stating that his desire for a
personal interview was now suddenly become special and urgent; that it
not only concerned himself, but affected his benefactor. By return of
post Darrell replied with curt frigidity, repeating, with even sternness,
his refusal to receive Lionel, but professing himself ready to attend to
all that his kinsman might address to him by letter. "If it be as you
state," wrote Darrell, with his habitual irony, "a matter that relates to
myself, I claim, as a lawyer for my own affairs--the precaution I once
enjoined to my clients--a written brief should always precede a personal
consultation."

In fact, the proud man suspected that Lionel had been directly or
indirectly addressed on behalf of Jasper Losely; and cerainly that was