, the plank total abstinence, and the rail
the pledge, and I think you will see that those who use the pledge,
though they really do not need it to steady themselves, may be a great
help to the weak, the timid, and the shrinking."

"I certainly," said Sir Thomas, "have never had the matter set before me
in this light. I shall think over our conversation; and as regards poor
Frank, at any rate, I feel sure that, if his health will bear it, total
abstinence will be the safest, if not the best thing for him."

CHAPTER SEVEN.

THE TEMPTER.

Juniper Graves was under-groom at Greymoor Park. He was a very fine
fellow in his own eyes. His parents had given him the name of Juniper
under the impression that it meant something very striking, and would
distinguish their son from the vulgar herd. What it exactly signified,
or what illustrious person had ever borne it before, they would have
been puzzled to say. So he rejoiced in the name of Juniper, and his
language was in keeping with it. High-sounding words had ever been his
passion--a passion that grew with his growth; so that his conversation
was habitually spiced with phrases and expressions in which there was
abundance of sound, but generally an equal lack of sense. Too full of
himself to be willing to keep patiently plodding on like ordinary
people, he had run through a good many trades without being master of
any. Once he was a pastry-cook; at another time a painter; and then an
auctioneer--which last business he held to the longest of any, as giving
him full scope for exhibiting his graces of language. He had abandoned
it, however, in consequence of some rather biting remarks which had come
to his ears respecting the choice and suitableness of his epithets. And
now he was groom at the hall, and had found it to his advantage to
ingratiate himself with Frank Oldfield, by rendering him all sorts of
handy services; and as there were few things which he could not do, or
pretend to do, his young master viewed him with particular favour, and
made more of a companion of him than was good for either. Juniper was a
sly but habitual drunkard. He managed, however, so to regulate his
intemperance as never to be outwardly the worse for liquor when his
services were required by Sir Thomas or Lady Oldfield, or when excess
was likely to bring him into trouble. When, however, the family was
away from the hall, he would transgress more openly; so that his sin
became a sca