But I don't trouble myself about that, my dear. You know, in all
equity, Allen ought to have a share in that property. It was only
the old man's caprice that made it all or none; and Elvira is only
doing what is right and just."
"And Allen's love was a real thing, when he was the rich one. So I
told Essie; and besides, Allen would never make any hand of poverty,
poor fellow."
"I think and hope he will make a much better hand of riches than he
would have done without all he has gone through," said her mother.
Allen showed the same feeling when he could talk his prospects over
quietly with his mother. These four years had altered him at least
as much for the better as Elfie. He would not now begin in
thoughtless self-indulgence, refined indeed and never vicious, but
selfish, extravagant, and heedless of all but ease, pleasure, and
culture. Some of the enervation of his youth had really worn off,
though it had so long made him morbid, and he had learnt humility by
his failures. Above all, however, his intercourse with Fordham had
opened his eyes to a sense of the duties of wealth and position, such
as he had never before acquired, and the religious habits that had
insensibly grown upon him were tincturing his views of life and
responsibility.
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