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It seemed strange, at first, to the good people of Harleyford to see young Lord Hardcastle and the rector's son daily in close and friendly intercourse, accustomed, as they were, to see each politely ignored by the other, or else spoken of in terms of supercilious contempt. It was certainly a strange sight to see the young men constantly walking side by side in earnest conversation, or else riding to and from each other's houses. Lord Hardcastle's weakness had hitherto been nearsightedness whenever Varley had happened to cross his path. "Who was that you recognized just now? " he would say to a companion, if he happened to have one at the time, and on being informed it was the rector's son, would remark, carelessly --
"Oh, the young giant whose brains have run into muscle; let us talk of something interesting."