The Man in Possession — page 237: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

232 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. a week at an early period of his life. No matter what his prospects may be in the future, he must for one or two years live on that sum, or supplement it by his own exertions. If he has once learnt to do that there’s no more fear of him. He willappreciate the value of money and the necessities of less favoured mortals than himself.” ‘‘The idea is good,” said the Colonel: ‘‘you’ve never tried it, I should say.” ‘Well, no,” said Rivers diffidently ; ‘‘I never had the chance given me.” ‘I should say it was a chance you would be in no great hurry to embrace,” answered the American dryly. His eyes wandered round the room, the oak fur- niture, the well-filled book-cases, the few but rare engravings, the Nankin china and various lounges and seats, all expressive of comfort and artistic tastes. ‘‘T hope you don’t think I am quite useless,” said Rivers. ‘‘I suppose this isn’t exactly as much ofa ‘bachelor’s den’ as a soldier would fit up, but I’m blessed with such a confounded lot of money,” he added as if in apology. Colonel Lawrence laughed. ‘‘That is scarcely a blessing to deplore,” he said, ‘Ca great many young men of your age would find it had a few trifling advantages. I suppose you've no profession—except living on your means.” ‘I’m going into Parliament some day, I hope,” said Rivers. ‘‘Meantime I... well, I look about I’m not exactly idle. I’ve studied the grievances of | <Sii C(O) COnilue DOO