grown so much upon her, particularly during Mr. Dalben's long absence, that she could hardly now restrain herself towards her superiors. May this be a warning to such of my young readers as are inclined to treat their brothers and sisters and young friends with disrespect; and let them be aware, that angry passions gather strength by the expression of them.

But the happy period of George's visit was drawing to a close, and, in January, a letter was received from Marten, informing Mr. Dalben that Edgar Bonville's examination must take place in less than a fortnight; ad-、 ding these expressions-" Poor Bonville! he is a good fellow. I have been much with him since the vacation. I could not help liking him for leaving Worcestershire so well; and he has got some good notions-some very good notions, by being with you-but he is a sad idle fellow. I fear for him-but that between ourselves."

Marten's letter was followed in a few days by one from Major Beresford, inviting Henry and Mr. Dalben to visit him in London when his son returned, and to spend the Christmas there with him. He was in lodgings, he said, but he would have an additional room for Mr. Dalben, making no question but that as his son had slept

with Mr. Milner in the country, one room would serve them also in London.

Mr. Dalben read this letter aloud, and the two boys sate in breathless anxiety, waiting for what the old gentleman should say anent the proposition to use an expression of our northern neighbours.

The first words which Mr. Dalben uttered, after a moment's thought, were—" And so visit Marten in his rooms-see poor Edgar Bonville, and take a view of Oxford."

"Yes, Sir, yes," said Henry, breathing again," and see Marten and Edgar and Oxford and London. Thank you, uncle; thank you, uncle!"

"Thank you, uncle !" repeated little George jumping up and running round the table to Mr. Dalben; thank you, good uncle !"

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"I shall have abundance of nephews that never had one,” replied Mr. Dalben, laughing, and receiving the little boy in his arms. I shall be like the judge who had thirty sons, who all rode on thirty asses' colts. But bless you, my dear little man! all being well, I will accept your kind father's invitation. I was thinking of going to Oxford when Edgar was examined, to be with him, if in case it should so

happen, as we have too much

But never

mind, we must be off-let me see-in three days at farthest.—Let Kitty be called."

"I will call her," exclaimed George; and as he ran out, Mr. Dalben said, "Can we venture to take Maurice with us? I require so much attendence, and I should prefer his services to that of a stranger. He must not be in the kitchens of the inns where we stop, nor in those of the lodging-houses, unless they are proper people."

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We must watch him, Sir," said Henry.

This matter was hardly decided upon before Mrs. Kitty entered to receive her orders for packing, and great was the bustle in the offices which then ensued—a bustle which was not a little augmented by the delight of Maurice; and I am sorry to say, that he was so wholly thrown off his balance on the occasion, that he went into the kitchen and whistled in the presence of Mrs. Kitty-a liberty which she never allowed him to enjoy with impunity, though on this occasion she was too much disconcerted to take notice of the offence.

And now I should despair of describing the bustle which took place on the morning fixed for commencing this journey.. Maurice was up by five o'clock, and when Mrs Kitty came down

at six, she found the fire lighted in the kitchen, and the water boiling, although the chaise, which was to convey the party to Worcester, was not expected till twelve, the Oxford coach not leaving the town till three o'clock. Mr. Dalben had secured two places within and two without; but as it happened, as there were no inside passengers, Henry and Maurice concluded the journey from Chipping Norton in the inside.

But we must not travel too rapidly. Maurice and George continued to prepare and to bustle till the carriage drove up to the door, and then Maurice was not to be found for at least five minutes after Mr. Dalben was in the carriage. At length, however, he appeared from the widow Dawes's cottage, whither he had run to inform the old woman of his extraordinary happiness.

"I almost think we have done imprudently in taking the little wild Irishman," said Mr. Dalben, when they were once started.

"He will be better by-and-bye, uncle," replied Henry, "when he has been out a day or

two."

"And in that day or two, what may happen," said Mr. Dalben.

CHAP. XXII.

Being shorter than the Reader will wish it to be.

THE Coach, containing Mr. Dalben and George Beresford, and two comely dames who were going to spend a month with their cousins, the Miss Hodges of Chipping Norton, with Henry and Maurice, and sundry other persons enveloped in great coats, and otherwise barricadoed against the cold, passed under the cathedral of Worcester at the moment the clock struck three and one quarter.

Maurice had never before been in such a state

of high prosperity-so lifted up above the plebs ignobile-so rapidly carried through the air-in short, so thoroughly happy; and the consequence was, that he began to talk and joke with his nearest neighbour; on which Henry told him, that if he did not choose to be quiet, he would stop the coach, set him down, and leave him to walk home alone. This was enough for the little