What was he himself?
A loafer, "a deuced unfortunate loafer," but still a loafer.
He had no trade and no profession.

Confound it! how much better off, and how much better in reality, were these people who had trades and occupations.

In the vigour and lithe activity of that girl's body was the force of generations of honest workers.

He argued and thought--as every intelligent man in his position would have done--until he had come into the old life again, and into the presence of the old advantages and temptations! Christine pulled up for a moment on a little hill, and waved her whip.
He shook his handkerchief from the window.

That was their prearranged signal.