Or why, once having reached them, not have the magnanimity and circumspection to retire into private life immediately?  Stung by his defeats, Richard sent one of his dependent Papworths to Poer Hall, with a challenge to Ralph Barthrop Morton; matching himself to swim across the Thames and back, once, trice, or thrice, within a less time than he, Ralph Barthrop Morton, would require for the undertaking.  It was accepted, and a reply returned, equally formal in the trumpeting of Christian names, wherein Ralph Barthrop Morton acknowledged the challenge of Richard Doria Feverel, and was his man.  The match came off on a midsummer morning, under the direction of Captain Algernon.  Sir Austin was a spectator from the cover of a plantation by the river-side, unknown to his son, and, to the scandal of her sex, Lady Blandish accompanied the baronet.  He had invited her attendance, and she, obeying her frank nature, and knowing what The Pilgrim’s Scrip said about prudes, at once agreed to view the match, pleasing him mightily.  For was not here a woman worthy the Golden Ages of the world? one who could look upon man as a creature divinely made, and look with a mind neither tempted, nor taunted, by the Serpent!  Such a woman was rare.  Sir Austin did not discompose her by uttering his praises.  She was conscious of his approval only in an increased gentleness of manner, and something in his voice and communications, as if he were speaking to a familiar, a very high compliment from him.  While the lads were standing ready for the signal to plunge from the steep decline of greensward into the shining waters, Sir Austin called upon her to admire their beauty, and she did, and even advanced her head above his shoulder delicately.  In so doing, and just as the start was given, a bonnet became visible to Richard.  Young Ralph was heels in air before he moved, and then he dropped like lead.  He was beaten by several lengths.

The result of the match was unaccountable to all present, and Richard’s friends unanimously pressed him to plead a false start.  But though the youth, with full confidence in his better style and equal strength, had backed himself heavily against his rival, and had lost his little river-yacht to Ralph, he would do nothing of the sort.  It was the Bonnet had beaten him, not Ralph.  The Bonnet, typical of the mystery that caused his heart those violent palpitations, was his dear, detestable enemy.

And now, as he progressed from mood to mood, his ambition turned towards a field where Ralph could not rival him, and where the Bonnet was etherealized, and reigned glorious mistress.  A cheek to the pride of a boy will frequently divert him to the path where lie his subtlest powers.  Richard gave up his companions, servile or antagonistic:  he relinquished the material world to young Ralph, and retired into himself, where he was growing to be lord of kingdoms where Beauty was his handmaid, and History his minister