The other matter is trade
in which, with Heaven's blessing, I can hope to prosper.'
He explained that Mr. Castleford had received him on his coming to
London with almost a request that he would undertake this
expedition; but with fears whether, in his new position, he could or
would do so, although his presence in China would be very important
to the firm at this juncture; and there would be opportunities which
would probably result in very considerable profits after a few
years. If Clarence had been, as before, a mere younger brother, it
would have been thought an excellent chance; and he would almost
have felt bound by his obligations to Mr. Castleford to undertake
the first starting of the enterprise, if it had not been for our
recent loss, and the doubt whether he could he spared from home.
He made light of the dangers of climate. He had never suffered in
that way in his naval days, and scarcely knew what serious illness
meant. Indeed, he had outgrown much of that sensibility of nerve
which had made him so curiously open to spiritual or semi-spiritual
impressions.
'Any way,' he said, 'the thing is right to be done, provided my
mother does not make an absolute point of my giving it up; and
whether she does or not depends a good deal on how you others put it
to her.'
'Right on Mr. Castleford's account?' I asked.
'That is one side of it.
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