The Story Begun by Walter Hartright of Clement’s Inn, Teacher of Drawing

“ Mr. Fairlie’s compliments to Mr. Hartright. Mr. Fairlie is more surprised and disappointed than he can say (in the present state of his health) by Mr. Hartright’s application. Mr. Fairlie is not a man of business, but he has consulted his steward, who is, and that person confirms Mr. Fairlie’s opinion that Mr. Hartright’s request to be allowed to break his engagement cannot be justified by any necessity whatever, excepting perhaps a case of life and death. If the highly-appreciative feeling towards Art and its professors, which it is the consolation and happiness of Mr. Fairlie’s suffering existence to cultivate, could be easily shaken, Mr. Hartright’s present proceeding would have shaken it. It has not done so⁠—except in the instance of Mr. Hartright himself. “Having stated his opinion⁠—so far, that is to say, as acute nervous suffering will allow him to state anything⁠— Mr. Fairlie has nothing to add but the expression