Let them and their quarrels alone, Tom, if you would keep out of trouble." Lord Claud was speaking now with a sarcastic intonation rather unusual with him.

He was more thoughtful and grave than Tom had ever seen him, but the youth did not dare to ask the cause.

Indeed, it seemed to him that a man who had a duel to fight upon the morrow with a dangerous adversary had reason enough for gravity and thought.
"Tom," said Lord Claud suddenly, breaking a rather long silence, "I feel sometimes that I have had enough for once of the trammels of town life.

I am weary of the slavery of levee, and gaming table, and playhouse.

There are better things in life than foppery and idle dissipation.