The Jardine fortune was not a great one, but there was enough for an heir who showed no inclination to live and to travel _en prince_, who in certain ways was nearer the ascetic than the spendthrift....

Before Strickland's mind, strolling dreamily, came pictures of far back, of years ago, of long since.

A by-wind had brought to the tutor then certain curious bits of knowledge.
Alexander, a student in Edinburgh, had lived for some time upon half of his allowance in order to accommodate Ian Rullock with the other half, the latter being in a crisis of quarrel with his uncle, who, when he quarreled, used always, where he could, the money screw.
Strickland had listened to his Edinburgh informant, but had never divulged the news given.

No more had he told another bit, floated to him again by that ancient Edinburgh friend and gossip, who had young cousins at college and listened to their talk.

It pertained to a time a little before that of the shared income.