1. Myles Falworth and Francis Gascoyne become close friends early in the novel. How do each of these boys round out what is lacking in the other's character?

2. The friendship between Myles and Francis gradually changes as the novel progresses. Discuss these changes and the reasons for them.

3. Soon after Myles's arrival at Devlen Castle, he decides to resist the timehonored custom of serving the senior bachelors. Francis asks him if it is not arrogant for him "to come hither to this place, and then not submit to the ways thereof, as the rest of us do?" Who is right, Myles or Francis?

4. Some readers have seen Myles as too aggressive at Devlen Castle, as extreme in pursuing every opportunity for confrontation with Walter Blunt. Other readers have seen his resistance to Blunt as in every case admirable and justified. Who would you agree with...