The Disowned — Volume 07Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron
General
The Disowned — Volume 07
Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron
English fiction -- 19th century
"She had but one son, Master Clinton. Never, sir, shall I forget the
rejoicings that were made at his birth: for my lord doted on his
second wife, and had disliked his first, whom he had married for her
fortune; and it was therefore natural that he should prefer the child
of the present wife to Master Francis. Ah, it is sad to think how
love can change! Well, sir, my lord seemed literally to be wrapped up
in the infant: he nursed it and fondled it, and hung over it, as if he
had been its mother rather than its father. My lady desired that it
might be christened by one of her family names; and my lord
consenting, it was called Clinton. (The wine is with you, sir! Do
observe that it has not changed colour in the least, notwithstanding
its age.)"
"My lord was fond of a quiet, retired life; indeed, he was a great
scholar, and spent the chief part of his time among his books. Dr.
Latinas, the young gentleman's tutor, said his lordship made Greek
verses better than Dr. Latinas could make English ones, so you may
judge of his learning. But my lady went constantly to town, and was
among the gayest of the gay; nor did she often come down here without
bringing a whole troop of guests. Lord help us, what goings on there
used to be at the great house!--such dancing and music, and dining and
supping, and shooting-parties, fishing-parties, gypsy-parties: you
would have thought all England was merrymaking there."
"But my lord, though he indulged my lady in all her whims and
extravagance, seldom took much share in them himself. He was
constantly occupied with his library and children, nor did he ever
suffer either Master Francis or Master Clinton to mix with the guests.
He kept them very close at their studies, and when the latter was six
years old, I do assure you, sir, he could say his Propria quae maribus
better than I can. (You don't drink, sir.) When Master Francis was
sixteen, and Master Clinton eight, the former was sent abroad on his
travels with a German tutor, and did not return to England for many
years afterwards; meanwhile Master Clinton grew up to the age of
fourteen, increasing in comeliness and goodness. He was very fond of
his studies, much more so than Master Francis had been, and was
astonishingly forward for his years. So my lord loved him better and
better, and would scarcely ever suffer him to be out of his sight."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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