didactic
of Clive's bachelor acquaintances, pursued the young man with endless
advice and sermons, and held himself up as a warning to Clive, and
a touching example of the evil consequences of early idleness and
dissipation. Gentlemen of much higher rank in the world took a fancy to
the lad. Captain Jack Belsize introduced him to his own mess, as also to
the Guard dinner at St. James's; and my Lord Kew invited him to Kewbury,
his lordship's house in Oxfordshire, where Clive enjoyed hunting,
shooting, and plenty of good company. Mrs. Newcome groaned in spirit
when she heard of these proceedings; and feared, feared very much that
that unfortunate young man was going to ruin; and Barnes Newcome amiably
disseminated reports amongst his family that the lad was plunged in
all sorts of debaucheries: that he was tipsy every night: that he was
engaged, in his sober moments, with dice, the turf, or worse amusements:
and that his head was so turned by living with Kew and Belsize, that the
little rascal's pride and arrogance were perfectly insufferable. Ethel
would indignantly deny these charges; then perhaps credit a few of them;
and she looked at Clive with melancholy eyes when he came to visit his
aunt; and I hope prayed that Heaven might mend his wicked ways. The
truth is, the young fellow enjoyed life, as one of his age and spirit
might be expected to do; but he did very little harm, and meant less;
and was quite unconscious of the reputation which his kind friends were
making for him.

There had been a long-standing promise that Clive and his father were to
go to Newcome at Christmas: and I dare say Ethel proposed to reform the
young prodigal, if prodigal he was, for she busied herself delightedly
in preparing the apartments which they were to inhabit during their
stay--speculated upon it in a hundred pleasant ways, putting off her
visit to this pleasant neighbour, or that pretty scene in the vicinage,
until her uncle should come and they should be enabled to enjoy the
excursion together. And before the arrival of her relatives, Ethel,
with one of her young brothers, went to see Mrs. Mason; and introduced
herself as Colonel Newcome's niece; and came back charmed with the
old lady, and eager once more in defence of Clive (when that young
gentleman's character happened to be called in question by her brother
Barnes), for had she not seen the kindest letter, which Clive had
written to old Mrs. Mason, and the beautiful drawing of