There is
fresh help for the world every time a youth starts clean upon
manhood's race; his very being is a hope of cleansing: this one
started as foul as youth could well be, and had not yet begun to
repent. His character was well known to his associates, for he
was no hypocrite, and Hosper's father knew it perfectly, and was
therefore worse than he. Had Redmain had a daughter, he would
never have given her to a man like himself. But, then, Mortimer
was so poor, and Redmain was so _very_ rich! Alas for the
man who degrades his poverty by worshiping wealth! there is no
abyss in hell too deep for him to find its bottom.
Mr. Redmain had no profession, and knew nothing of business
beyond what was necessary for understanding whether his factor or
steward, or whatever he called him, was doing well with his
money--to that he gave heed. Also, wiser than many, he took some
little care not to spend at full speed what life he had. With
this view he laid down and observed certain rules in the ordering
of his pleasures, which enabled him to keep ahead of the vice-
constable for some time longer than would otherwise have been the
case. But he is one who can never finally be outrun, and now, as
Mr. Redmain was approaching the end of middle age, he heard
plainly enough the approach of the wool-footed avenger behind
him. Horrible was the inevitable to him, as horrible as to any;
but it had not yet looked frightful enough to arrest his downward
rush.
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