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Rh for having consigned his child to another, when he saw the effect of too early initiation into profligacy, or, as Francis called it, knowledge of the world.

Frankness and confidence belong to youth; and where experience comes too soon, it brings but half knowledge. The conviction of much evil in the heart should be learned at a later period, when we shall be aware also of much good. The worldly wisdom of the young is always of a harsh and bitter nature, making no allowance, and forgiving nothing—ever ready to attribute the ill motive, and holding suspicion to be penetration. Moreover, he was pained to perceive that the youth had no higher rule of action than worldly honour—honour which makes so many exceptions in favour of its pleasures. Principle was in his eyes but prejudice—and where he could not reason the right away, he ridiculed it.

Still he was so handsome, so graceful, so lively, that Sir Robert, making more excuses than he could well justify to himself, believed in the improvement he wished, and hoped everything from the future.

And what was the impression produced on the innocent Lucy?—only that Francis Evelyn was the realisation of those dreams which had