The Papworths were as subservient as Ripton, but young Ralph Morton, the nephew of Mr.Morton, and a match for Richard in numerous promising qualities, comprising the noble science of fisticuffs, this youth spoke his mind too openly, and moreover would not be snubbed.

There was no middle course for Richard's comrades between high friendship or absolute slavery.

He was deficient in those cosmopolite habits and feelings which enable boys and men to hold together without caring much for each other; and, like every insulated mortal, he attributed the deficiency, of which he was quite aware, to the fact of his possessing a superior nature.

Young Ralph was a lively talker: therefore, argued Richard's vanity, he had no intellect.

He was affable: therefore he was frivolous.