’Twas this composure and commandingness of bearing which were more marked in him than all else.  ’Twas not mere coolness, but a great power over himself and all his weaknesses, which years of self-study had begot in him, the truth being indeed that he himself had early realised in a measure a thing one of the gravest instructors at the University had once said:  “Were all the strength of his great body and his fervid mind, all the power of his wealth and rank, all the influence of his beauty and passion turned to evil and dishonourable courses, instead of to more noble things, good God! what a devil he might be—­devil enough to ruin half England.  What weak woman could resist him; what vicious man help following where he led!”

“’Tis not so easy for a man who will be Duke one day to keep straight courses,” Roxholm had once said to Mr. Fox, “as ’tis for a man who must live a narrower life and work for his daily bread.  And a man who is six feet three in height has six feet and three inches of evil to do battle with, if he has not six feet three of strength and honesty to fight for him.  ’Tis Gerald Mertoun I may live in dread of, if Gerald Mertoun is not my help and stay.”

This he said half laughing, half sober, after his first visit to the French Court, which he made with his parents and saw many strange though brilliant things, giving him cause for reflection.  Tender as his years were at the time, he was so big and finely built a fellow for his age, and so beautiful to look upon, that there were ladies who even tried their bright eyes upon him as if he had been a man instead of a youth; and he encountered many youngsters of his years who had already done much more than dally on the brink of life, some, indeed, having plunged deep into waters not overclean.

Some of these last regarded him at least as one who neglected his opportunities, but his great laugh at their callow jests and their advice to him was so frank and indifferent a thing that they found it singularly baffling.  ’Twas indeed as if a man of ripe years and wisdom had laughed at them with good-nature, because he knew they could not understand the thing experience had taught him.

“Why should I be pleased because a beauty older than my mother laughs and teases me,” he said.  “I am but a boy, and she knows it full well, and would only play with me to see if I am a fool who can be made a toy.  I am too big,” stretching his great arms, “to sit at ladies’ feet and have my curls stroked as if I were a lap-dog.  A fellow such as I should be exercising his body and putting somewhat in his brain.  Why should I overdrink and overfeed myself and give my strength to follies?  ’Tis not my taste.  On my life, I would rather get up at daybreak with a clean tongue and a clear head and go out to leap and ride and fence and toss the bar with well-strung muscles.  Some day I shall meet a beauty whom I would be ready for.”  And he laughed his big, musical, boyish laugh again and his tawny eye sparkled.