Page:Vivian Grey, Volume 1.djvu/64

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54
VIVIAN GREY.

powers of his mind to bear and work was at last provided. He paced his chamber in an agitated spirit, and panted for the Senate.

It will be asked, what was the evil of all this? and the reader will, perhaps, murmur something about an honourable spirit and youthful ambition. Ah! I once thought so myself—but the evil is too apparent. The time drew nigh for Vivian to leave for Oxford—that is, for him to commence his long preparation for entering on his career in life. And now this person, who was about to be a pupil—this boy, this stripling, who was going to begin his education,—had all the feelings of a matured mind—of an experienced man; was already a cunning reader of human hearts; and felt conscious, from experience, that his was a tongue which was born to guide human beings. The idea of Oxford to such an individual was an insult!