brief denial to his mother's schemes, but published his intention of using

his influence to diminish the power of the aristocracy, to effect a greater

equalization of wealth and privilege, and to introduce a perfect system of

republican government into England. At first his mother treated his

theories as the wild ravings of inexperience. But they were so

systematically arranged, and his arguments so well supported, that though

still in appearance incredulous, she began to fear him. She tried to reason

with him, and finding him inflexible, learned to hate him.

Strange to say, this feeling was infectious. His enthusiasm for good which

did not exist; his contempt for the sacredness of authority; his ardour and

imprudence were all at the antipodes of the usual routine of life; the

worldly feared him; the young and inexperienced did not understand the

lofty severity of his moral views, and disliked him as a being different

from themselves. Evadne entered but coldly into his systems. She thought he

did well to assert his own will, but she wished that will to have been more

intelligible to the multitude. She had none of the spirit of a martyr, and

did not incline to share the shame and defeat of a fallen patriot. She was

aware of the purity of his motives, the generosity of his disposition, his

true and ardent attachment to her; and she entertained a great affection

for him. He repaid this spirit of kindness with the fondest gratitude, and

made her the treasure-house of all his hopes.

At this time Lord Raymond returned from Greece. No two persons could be

more opposite than Adrian and he. With all the incongruities of his

character, Raymond was emphatically a man of the world. His passions were

The Last Man