Philip quickened his steps, and taking a footpath through the shrubbery, advanced to his father, as he was beginning to move slowly from the position in which he had halted.
‘Glad to see you, Philip,’ said Mr Hadleigh, whilst he did what he had rarely done before—took his son’s arm. There was also a touch of unusual kindliness in his voice and manner. ‘I have missed you the last few evenings more than I fancied I should do. You have been enjoying yourself, no doubt—theatres, clubs, friends and cards perhaps. Well, enjoy these things whilst you may. You have the means and the opportunity. I never had; and it is singular how soon the capacity for enjoyment is extinguished. Like everything else—capacity or faculty—it requires exercise, if it is to be kept in good condition.’
Philip was relieved, but considerably puzzled by his father’s strange humour.
‘I have been enjoying myself; but not in the way you mention. I have been harder at work than I have ever been, except when preparing for the last exam.’
‘Ah, and you did not make so very much out of that hard work after all.’
‘Not so much as I ought to have done, certainly; but I hope to make more out of this effort,’ said Philip, with an attempt to pass lightly by the uncomfortable reminder that he had failed to take his degree. ‘Have you read the papers I sent you?’
‘Yes.’
Mr Hadleigh spoke as if reluctant to make the admission, and his brows contracted slightly, but his arm rested more kindly on that of his son, as if to make amends for this apparent want of sympathy. Philip was unconscious of these signs of varying moods.
‘I am glad of that—now you will be able to give me the benefit of your advice. Wrentham fancies I am running after a chimera, and will come to grief. He has not said that precisely; but what he has said, and his manner, convince me that that is his notion; and I am afraid that it will materially affect the value of his help to me. I should like you to tell me what you think.’
Mr Hadleigh was silent; and they walked on towards the sheltered grove, where, during his convalescence, Philip had spent so many pleasant hours with Madge. As they were passing through it, the father spoke: