"
"And now?"
"I have not begun again, though, if my mother desires it, I shall."
"So I should suppose; but I am sorry you do not take more interest in
the matter."
"Even if I live," said Armine, "the hopes with which I once studied
are over."
"What hopes?"
The boy was drawn on by his sympathy to explain his plans for the
perfection of church and charities at Woodside, where he would have
worked as curate, and lavished all that wealth could supply in all
institutions for its good and that of Kenminster. It was the
vanished castle over which he and Miss Parsons had spent so many
moans, and yet at the end of it all, Armine saw a sort of incredulous
smile on his friend's face.
"I don't think it was impossible or unreasonable," he said. "I could
have been ordained as curate there, and my mother would have gladly
given land, and means, and all."
"I was not thinking of that, my boy. What struck me was how people
put their trust in riches without knowing it."
"Indeed I should have given up all wealth and luxury. I am not
regretting that!" exclaimed Armine, in unconscious blindness.
"I did not say you were."
"I beg your pardon," said Armine, thinking he had not caught the
words.
"I said people did not know how they put their trust in riches.
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