But a mob of lewd rascallions and squalling infants--bah! verily, it is mere matter for scorn and laughter." These philosophical propositions and distinctions did not seem to have their due effect upon Adam.

He smiled, however, gently upon his guest, and with a blush over his pale face, said, "I am rightly chastised, good young man; mean was I, methinks, and sordid to take from thee thy good gold.

But thou knowest not what fever burns in the brain of a man who feels that, had he wealth, his knowledge could do great things,--such things!--I thought to repay thee well.

Now the frenzy is gone, and I, who an hour ago esteemed myself a puissant sage, sink in mine own conceit to a miserable blinded fool.

Child, I am very weak; I will lay me down and rest." So saying, the poor philosopher went his way to his chamber, leaning on his daughter's arm.
In a few minutes Sibyll rejoined Marmaduke, who had returned to the hall, and informed him that her father had lain down a while to compose himself.
"It is a hard fate, sir," said the girl, with a faint smile,--"a hard fate, to be banned and accursed by the world, only because one has sought to be wiser than the world is." "Douce maiden," returned the Nevile, "it is happy for thee that thy sex forbids thee to follow thy father's footsteps, or I should say his hard fate were thy fair warning." Sibyll smiled faintly, and after a pause, said, with a deep blush,-- "You have been generous to my father; do not misjudge him.