had exhausted his slight native feeling, but he was acute,
disputatious, and firm even to obstinacy. Though his early
education had been very imperfect, he had subsequently read a
good deal, especially in French literature. He had formed his
mind by Helvetius, whose system he deemed irrefutable, and in
whom alone he had faith. Armed with the principles of his
great master, he believed he could pass through existence in
adamantine armour, and always gave you in the business of life
the idea of a man who was conscious you were trying to take
him in, and rather respected you for it, but the working of
whose cold, unkind, eye defied you.

There never had been excessive cordiality between the brothers
even in their boyish days, and shortly after Egremont's
entrance into life, they had become estranged. They were to
meet now for the first time since Egremont's return from the
continent. Their mother had arranged their reconciliation.
They were to meet as if no misunderstanding had ever existed
between them; it was specially stipulated by Lord Marney, that
there was to be no "scene." Apprised of Egremont's impending
arrival, Lord Marney was careful to be detained late that day
at petty sessions, and entered the room only a few minutes
before dinner was announced, where he found Egremont not only
with the countess and a young lady who was staying with her,
but with additional bail against any ebullition of sentiment
in the shape of the Vicar of Marney, and a certain Captain
Grouse, who was a kind of aide-de-camp of the earl; killed
birds and carved them; played billiards with him, and lost;
had indeed every accomplishment that could please woman or
ease man; could sing, dance, draw, make artificial flies,