us."

Charles promised to call again.

"My wife, as I told thee, is ill," said Mr Franklin, (for that was his
name,) "and therefore cannot go to see thy sister; but if thou wilt take
thy tea with us to-morrow, and if thy sister will disregard ceremony,
and come with thee, we shall be glad."

Charles accepted the invitation with great pleasure, as he thought that
this respectable family might prove pleasant and valuable friends to
Jane.

He next called on Mr Barker, who was not a little astonished at the
sight of him. Charles told him that Jane and he were anxious to have
his advice on the important subject of Mrs Rathbone's letter. Mr
Barker promised to devote the first leisure time he had to them.
Charles next called at Mr Monteath's door, to enquire concerning his
friend; but no account had arrived, or was expected before the evening.

When the messenger arrived, he brought a favourable report. The patient
was easy, and all was going on right. He sent, by his mother's letter,
an affectionate message to Charles, and said, he hoped by the time his
father returned to Exeter to be able to write a note himself to his
friend.

Mr Barker called in the evening to see Mrs Rathbone's letter
respecting Alfred, and to consult with Jane and her brother on the
subject. They plainly told him their feelings upon it, their dislike to
the military profession, especially.

Mr Barker was silent, and looked thoughtful.

"Are we wrong, Sir?" asked Charles. "Have we got high-flown or mistaken
notions about this? or is it presumptuous in us, who are so poor, and
under great obligations, to affect a choice for our brother?"

"No, my dear boy; none of these. I was silent because I was thinking of
a sad story, and wondering whether I should tell it you. Have you quite
made up your minds to reject Mr Rathbone's offer?"

"That depends on your opinion," said Jane. "If you shew us that
Charles's ideas of the hazard and probable misery of such a destination,
are mistaken, we must deliberate further: but if what I have heard be
true, I would as soon see Alfred in his coffin as incur so fearful a
responsibility."

"I think what Charles has said is all true: but, my dears, you must
prepare yourselves for something which will be to you very terrible."

"Mr Rathbone's displeasure," said Charles. "I feared that: but
grateful as we are and ought to be for his most disinterested generosity
to us, we ought to look on his gifts as cu