After dinner, when Mr.Buxton and the two young men were left alone, Edward launched out still more.

He thought he was impressing Frank with his knowledge of the world, and the world's ways.
But he was doing all in his power to repel one who had never been much attracted toward him.

Worldly success was his standard of merit.

The end seemed with him to justify the means; if a man prospered, if was not necessary to scrutinize his conduct too closely.

The law was viewed in its lowest aspect; and yet with a certain cleverness, which preserved Edward from being intellectually contemptible.