_Page 33._]
FALSE FRIENDS
"Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward."--PROV. xxii. 5.
[Illustration: REFLECTION. _Page 25._]
"Philip, your conduct has distressed me exceedingly," said Lady Grange,
laying her hand on the arm of her son, as they entered together the
elegant apartment which had been fitted up as her boudoir. "You could
not but know my feelings towards those two men--I will not call them
gentlemen--whose company you have again forced upon me. You must be
aware that your father has shut the door of this house against them."
"My father has shut the door against better men than they are," said the
youth carelessly; "witness my own uncles Henry and George."
The lip of the lady quivered, the indignant colour rose even to her
temples; she attempted to speak, but her voice failed her, and she
turned aside to hide her emotion.
"Well, mother, I did not mean to vex you," said Philip, who was rather
weak in purpose than hardened in evil; "it _was_ a shame to bring Jones
and Wildrake here, but--but you see I couldn't help it." And he played
uneasily with his gold-headed riding-whip, while his eye avoided meeting
that of his mother.
"They have acquired some strange influence, some mysterious hold over
you," answered the lady.
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