rses, if they take from us the
liberty of unbiassed choice, where the moral welfare of a brother is in
question."

"Say so in your reply to him, Charles."

"But it may be," said Jane, "that he will not be displeased. We take
for granted much too readily, I think, that he will misunderstand us."

"Mr Rathbone's temper is peculiar," replied Mr Barker. "A somewhat
haughty spirit was rendered imperious by the power and rank he possessed
in India. Considering this, it is wonderful that he should retain so
generous a disposition as his is; but every one knows, and Charles
himself must have observed, that he cannot bear to be opposed,
especially in any scheme of benevolence."

Jane sighed. "At any rate," said she, "he cannot prevent our being
grateful for what he has done, and for his present kind intentions. It
is hard to be obliged to estrange such a friend, but it would be harder
still to devote Alfred to danger, and to temptations stronger than we
dare encounter ourselves."

"The estrangement will not be your work, but his own, Jane: that is, if
you write such a letter as I expect you will. Do not let your fear of
offending cramp your expression. Speak your gratitude freely, and also
your resolution of independence. Write as freely as you have been
speaking to me."

"May I shew you my letter, Sir, and have your opinion of it?" asked
Jane.

"By all means," replied Mr Barker, "and the sooner it is done the
better."

"We have been saved much pain," said Charles, "by your entire agreement
with us. I thought you would think as we did; but yet it is generally
believed a very fine thing to get a young man out to India."

"It is," said Mr Barker: "and in my young days a brother of my own was
sacrificed to this mistaken belief. So you will not wonder that I view
the matter in the same light as you do. It is a very common story. He
left home as good and promising a youth as could be, but too young.
Fine visions of wealth and grandeur floated before him: poor fellow! he
desired them more for his family than for himself when he set out on his
career; but his affections gradually cooled as time rolled on, and the
prospect of seeing his home again was still very distant. As he thought
less of his family he thought more of himself, and gave more and more
into habits of self-indulgence. He got money very fast, and
occasionally sent some home, but squandered much more on his own
pleasures. Then, as might be expec