Aldous was, of course, perfectly familiar with the creed implied in it all.  A Maxwell should give himself no airs whatever, should indeed feel no pride whatever, towards “men of goodwill,” whether peasant, professional, or noble.  Such airs or such feeling would be both vulgar and unchristian.  But when it came to marriage, then it behoved him to see that “the family”—­that carefully grafted and selected stock to which he owed so much—­should suffer no loss or deterioration through him.  Marriage with the fit woman meant for a Raeburn the preservation of a pure blood, of a dignified and honourable family habit, and moreover the securing to his children such an atmosphere of self-respect within, and of consideration from without, as he had himself grown up in.  And a woman could not be fit, in this sense, who came either of an insignificant stock, untrained to large uses and opportunities, or of a stock which had degenerated, and lost its right of equal mating with the vigorous owners of unblemished names.  Money was of course important and not to be despised, but the present Lord Maxwell, at any rate, large-minded and conscious of wealth he could never spend, laid comparatively little stress upon it; whereas, in his old age, the other instinct had but grown the stronger with him, as the world waxed more democratic, and the influence of the great families waned.

Nor could Aldous pretend to be insensible to such feelings and beliefs.  Supposing the daughter could be won, there was no doubt whatever that Richard Boyce would be a cross and burden to a Raeburn son-in-law.  But then!  After all!  Love for once made philosophy easy—­made class tradition sit light.  Impatience grew; a readiness to believe Richard Boyce as black as Erebus and be done with it,—­so that one might get to the point—­the real point.

As to the story, it came to this.  In his youth, Richard Boyce had been the younger and favourite son of his father.  He possessed some ability, some good looks, some manners, all of which were wanting in his loutish elder brother.  Sacrifices were accordingly made for him.  He was sent to the bar.  When he stood for Parliament his election expenses were jubilantly paid, and his father afterwards maintained him with as generous a hand as the estate could possibly bear, often in the teeth of the grudging resentment of Robert his firstborn.  Richard showed signs of making a rapid success, at any rate on the political platform.  He spoke with facility, and grappled with the drudgery of committees during his first two years at Westminster in a way to win him the favourable attention of the Tory whips.  He had a gift for modern languages, and spoke chiefly on foreign affairs, so that when an important Eastern Commission had to be appointed, in connection with some troubles in the Balkan States, his merits and his father’s exertions with certain old family friends sufficed to place him upon it.