He longed for the time when Ronald would be of age to commence his public career.

He planned for his son as he had never planned for himself.
Time passed on, and the heir of Earlescourt went to Oxford, as his father had done before him.

Then came the second bitter disappointment of Lord Earle's life.

He himself was a Tory of the old school.
Liberal principles were an abomination to him; he hated and detested everything connected with Liberalism.

It was a great shock when Ronald returned from college a "full-fledged Liberal." With his usual keenness he saw that all discussion was useless.
"Let the Liberal fever wear out," said one of his friends; "you will find, Lord Earle, that all young men favor it.