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‘Well, I know I’m not a Christian and I’m beginning to
doubt whether I’m a gentleman,’ said Philip.
The dispute grew more violent. There was another year
before Philip took possession of his small inheritance, and
during that time Mr. Carey proposed only to give him an
allowance if he remained at the office. It was clear to Philip
that if he meant not to continue with accountancy he must
leave it while he could still get back half the money that had
been paid for his articles. The Vicar would not listen. Philip,
losing all reserve, said things to wound and irritate.
‘You’ve got no right to waste my money,’ he said at last.
‘After all it’s my money, isn’t it? I’m not a child. You can’t
prevent me from going to Paris if I make up my mind to.
You can’t force me to go back to London.’
‘All I can do is to refuse you money unless you do what
I think fit.’
‘Well, I don’t care, I’ve made up my mind to go to Paris.
I shall sell my clothes, and my books, and my father’s jew-
ellery.’
Aunt Louisa sat by in silence, anxious and unhappy. she
saw that Philip was beside himself, and anything she said
then would but increase his anger. Finally the Vicar an-
nounced that he wished to hear nothing more about it and
with dignity left the room. For the next three days neither
Philip nor he spoke to one another. Philip wrote to Hay-
ward for information about Paris, and made up his mind
to set out as soon as he got a reply. Mrs. Carey turned the
matter over in her mind incessantly; she felt that Philip
included her in the hatred he bore her husband, and the

Of Human Bondage