She wished him to live like a gentleman, and not to soil his hands with ignoble, pursuits.

She felt a genuine pleasure--only known to mothers--in gathering toilsomely together what she knew he would lightly spend.

She was for the present amply repaid by the reflection that her Dick was as handsome and well-appointed a young fellow as was to be seen in London, with an air and manner that would become a prince.

It was only a question of time, she thought, when the princess should appear, be captivated, and raise him to the sphere for which she had taken care to fit him.

In the mean time, it was only natural that he should enjoy himself after the manner of other youth of great expectations.