Still he was the sort of man with whom few became intimate,
and none dared take a liberty. Preserved by his fortunate surroundings
and strong tranquil nature from difficulties or temptations, he could
hardly understand the passionate outbreaks of weaker and more fiery men.
His greatest physical pleasure was an exciting run with the hounds; his
deepest interest centred in politics; though never indulging in
sentiment, he was an earnest patriot. Whether he could be moved by more
personal feelings remained to be proved. At present the sources of
tenderer affection, if they existed, lay so deep below the strata of
reason and common-sense that only some artesian process could pierce to
the imprisoned spring's and set the "water of life" free, perhaps to
bound, geyser-like, into the outer air.
Having travelled by sea and land, and looked into the social and
political condition of many countries, having mixed much with men and
women at home and abroad, Errington thought it time to take his place in
the great commonwealth--to marry, and to try for a seat in the House of
Commons. He therefore selected Lady Alice Mordaunt. She was rather
pretty, graceful, gentle, and quite at his service. He really like her
in a sort of fatherly way; he looked forward with quiet pleasure to
making her very happy, and did not doubt she would in his hands mature
into a sufficient companion, for though Errington was not naturally a
selfish man, his life and training disposed him to look on those
connected with him as on the whole created for him.
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