There were some who felt dubious when he was seen walking back from the station with a young man who, in spite of broadcloth and growth, was evidently Tom Madison.

‘I could not help it, Mary,’ said Louis, ’it was not my fault that Dobbs would recommend him.’

Mr. Dobbs had looked this way and that, and concluded with, ’Well, Lord Fitzjocelyn, I do not know who would answer your purpose better than the young fellow you sent here a year ago.’

It appeared that Tom had striven assiduously both to learn his business and to improve himself; and, having considerable abilities, already brightened and sharpened by Louis, his progress had been surprising.  He had no low tastes, and was perfectly to be relied on for all essential points; but Mr. Dobbs owned that he should be relieved by parting with him, as he was not liked by his fellows, and was thought by the foremen to give himself airs.  Quarrels and misunderstandings had arisen so often, that he himself had been obliged to exert an influence on his behalf, which he feared might make him obnoxious to the accusation of partiality.  He considered that the lad had worth, substance, and promise far beyond his fellows; but his blunt, haughty manners, impatience of rough jokes, and rude avoidance of the unrefined, made him the object of their dislike, so that it was probable that he would thrive much better abroad and in authority; and at his age, he was more likely to adapt himself to circumstances, and learn a new language, than an older man, more used to routine.

The vision of the land for digging gold and silver seemed about to be realized, just as Tom had been growing learned enough to despise it.  Enterprise and hopes of fortune made him wild to go; and Mary after reading Dobbs’s letter, and laying before Louis the various temptations of Lima, found that he thought England to the full as dangerous for his protege.  She, therefore, sent for the young man, and decided as dispassionately as she could, upon taking him.

The Ormersfield world was extremely indignant; Frampton and Gervas prophesied that no good would come of such a choice, and marvelled at the Vicar, who gave the lad lodging in his house, and spent the evenings in giving him such mathematical instruction and teaching of other kinds, as he thought most likely to be useful to him.

To his surprise, however, Tom was much more grave and sober-minded under his promotion than could have been expected.  Louis, who had undertaken his outfit, was almost disappointed to find him so much out of heart, and so little responsive to cheerful auguries; and at last a little hint at bantering about the individual at the Terrace explained his despondence.

It was all over.  Charlotte had hardly spoken to him while he was waiting at No. 5, and Miss Faithfull’s Martha had told him there had been nothing but walking and talking with Lady Conway’s fine butler, and that Charlotte would never have nothing more to say to him!  Now!  Just as he might have spoken!  Was it not enough to knock the heart out of it all!  He never wished to go near No. 5 again.