There is essential goodness in him;--and what delight to unfold it! If he has wandered, what bliss to recall him! If he is now exposed to the baneful influence of corrupting and wicked companions, what glory to deliver him from them! Oh! if I could but believe that Heaven has designed me for this! * * * * * To-day is the first of September; but my uncle has ordered the gamekeeper to spare the partridges till the gentlemen come.

'What gentlemen ?' I asked when I heard it.

A small party he had invited to shoot.

His friend Mr.Wilmot was one, and my aunt's friend, Mr.Boarham, another.
This struck me as terrible news at the moment; but all regret and apprehension vanished like a dream when I heard that Mr.Huntingdon was actually to be a third! My aunt is greatly against his coming, of course: she earnestly endeavoured to dissuade my uncle from asking him; but he, laughing at her objections, told her it was no use talking, for the mischief was already done: he had invited Huntingdon and his friend Lord Lowborough before we left London, and nothing now remained but to fix the day for their coming.

So he is safe, and I am sure of seeing him.