The boy's fate is being decided now." "So is everybody's, my dear Austin!" yawned the epicurean.
"Yes, but this boy is at present under our guardianship--under yours especially." "Not yet! not yet!" Adrian interjected languidly.

"No getting into scrapes when I have him.

The leash, young hound! the collar, young colt! I'm perfectly irresponsible at present." "You may have something different to deal with when you are responsible, if you think that." "I take my young prince as I find him, coz: a Julian, or a Caracalla: a Constantine, or a Nero.

Then, if he will play the fiddle to a conflagration, he shall play it well: if he must be a disputatious apostate, at any rate he shall understand logic and men, and have the habit of saying his prayers." "Then you leave me to act alone ?" said Austin, rising.
"Without a single curb!" Adrian gesticulated an acquiesced withdrawal.
"I'm sure you would not, still more certain you cannot, do harm.

And be mindful of my prophetic words: Whatever's done, old Blaize will have to be bought off.