'I'll murder your birds by wholesale, just for keeping me away from better company than either you or them.' And so saying he departed; and I saw no more of him till dinner.

It seemed a weary time; I wonder what I shall do without him.
It is very true that the three elder gentlemen have proved themselves much keener sportsmen than the two younger ones; for both Lord Lowborough and Arthur Huntingdon have of late almost daily neglected the shooting excursions to accompany us in our various rides and rambles.

But these merry times are fast drawing to a close.

In less than a fortnight the party break up, much to my sorrow, for every day I enjoy it more and more--now that Messrs.

Boarham and Wilmot have ceased to tease me, and my aunt has ceased to lecture me, and I have ceased to be jealous of Annabella--and even to dislike her--and now that Mr.Huntingdon is become my Arthur, and I may enjoy his society without restraint.