preferred the law, and had studied for it, but if anything occurred to make such a step eligible, he should raise no objection against taking holy orders. The answer was heard by Mrs. Weston with a sigh, by Mr. Weston with a ready acquiescence in the delay: "There was no need to hurry in such a matter," he said; things turned up it would be better to decide on the course to be pursued." A short time, however, settled the point, and fixed the destiny of Manvers.

66

as

Henry Welsh had been now nearly two years in the family of Lord Elsdale, in the capacity of private tutor to his sons. He had been strongly recommended to him as a young man in whom the most implicit confidence might be placed, and as such he had entered his household under the most favourable auspices. But it is not to the testimony of friends that we must look for a claim to permanent esteem. We owe them much, indeed, for the introduction they may give us to the influential or to the estimable, and for the kind sentiments and opinions they may express in our behalf. They thus lay the foundation, probably, of our future success, and our liveliest gratitude is due to them; but success itself depends on our own conduct on the realization of the qualifications ascribed to us. If our prospect at the outset of life is the work of others, that which we become is essentially our own. Daily intercourse soon proved to Lord Elsdale that the worth of his young tutor had not been overrated; while he therefore conceived a sincere respect for his general abilities, his pupils attached themselves warmly to his person.

As Henry was in orders, and Lord Elsdale had several livings in his gift, his father encouraged a hope that his son would not be overlooked, should opportunity serve for his preferment, a hope that even Henry himself to a certain degree shared. He never, however, allowed expectation to disturb his mind, or to influence his conduct. "Some little cove of rest" he owned he did eventually aspire to, but only as a reward to follow the performance of this duty, not to anticipate or insure his exertions. No sooner, however, had Lord Elsdale the power to mark his approbation, than he availed himself of it by presenting Henry to a small benefice that had become vacant: "Not," said he, "as the discharge of an obligation for the care you have taken of my sons, but as it is the first time I have been enabled to mark my sense of it."

Henry expressed himself, as he felt, with the deepest gratitude; for the means was now in his power of assisting his father, whose circumstances were far from affluent. His own education, he was

aware, had been a heavy charge to him, and after some deliberation within himself as to the more delicate, as well as acceptable way of reimbursing him, he declared his intention of providing his sisters with a private governess; for as his mother had been dead some time, he was the more desirous of retaining their society at home.

It was not long after this that Manvers distinguished himself at Cambridge, as related. Henry was reading a letter from his sister Emma, of which the former was the chief subject. Lord Elsdale entered the study in which he was sitting alone, his pupils having just left him.

"Mr. Welsh," said he, "I am anxious to know what is your opinion of Mr. Manvers Weston. I understand that you and he are natives of the same town, and that your families have always been intimate with each other. He has been recommended to me as a very fitting person to accompany my ward and nephew, Sir George Willoughby, on his travels. Sir George, who has formed some degree of intimacy with him at Cambridge, is very anxious that I should engage him. Tell me candidly what you think of him.”

"Manvers Weston," replied Henry, without hesitation, “is incomparably one of the most gifted men I know. He and I did not draw very well together as boys, though I am quite willing to believe that the fault lay more with me than with him." "How so?" asked Lord Elsdale.

"I was the elder," replied Henry, "he was by far the more clever. I was plodding, he was quick. He knew this, and he made me know it too. However, I have a good deal to thank him for. The dread of his getting over my head caused me never to waste a moment, while he could afford to throw away hours.'

"But his temper-general character ?" said Lord Elsdale.

"The first is unexceptionable," replied Henry; "and he is remarkably agreeable. With the exception of a little disagreement that once occurred between us, I know nothing to his disadvantage."

Lord Elsdale made no further inquiry. He had heard nothing to make him doubt the report that had been given him, and by that evening's post he wrote to Sir George, conveying his consent to his wishes. The offer was immediately made to Manvers, and accepted with equal promptitude and pleasure.

Mr. Weston was delighted beyond measure at the arrangement. Manvers," said he, "your fortune is made; only mind what you are are about. Let Sir George be what he may, abilities like yours will give you the mastership. It's only the way of doing

things that causes success or failure. Follow my plan, it is a very useful one-yield to others in minor points-know the weak side of all you have to deal with-let no more of your own views be seen than you can avoid, and the game is in your own hands." The expression that marked his countenance as he spoke characterized the man. He laughed, and Manvers returned a smile; but what reply he would have made, or if any, is uncertain. His mother's eye was fixed stedfastly upon him, and, conscious of it, he changed his seat. "Come with me," exclaimed Mr. Weston, who was always restless. "I should like to see Welsh's face when he hears of this ;" and he left the room followed by Manvers.

The first moment that Mrs. Weston found herself alone with her son, "My dear Manvers," said she, "I could not speak to you when your father was by. I entreat you now to take one word of advice from me."

"Many words," replied he, for he was very fond of her, and had a high opinion of her understanding: and, seating himself beside her, he awaited what she might say to him.

Mrs. Weston cast a look of tenderness on him. "Blot out from your memory what was said the other morning." (She sighed, but no hint of his father's name passed her lips.) "Advice spoken without consideration may be rejected without offence." She laid her hand earnestly on his arm. "Never, I beseech you, forget that your present charge is a sacred and a responsible one. Keep one broad and open course with Sir George Willoughbythe course of strict integrity. Neither flatter nor indulge him where compliance would be improper or injudicious. Gain his esteem his respect first, his friendship afterwards. Be the guardian-the instructor-of the young man; but beware how you become a pander to his pleasure, or an encourager of his extravagance. Remember you are in trust-and that every violation of that trust is moral guilt. Think, think of this!—and think of me, your mother!"

The eyes of Manvers glistened as he returned his mother's kiss. He thanked her cordially, assuring her that his sentiments and hers accorded entirely; and that come what might-disappointment or success from his present engagement-his own conduct should be no cause of reproach either to her or to himself. He then informed her that he had received a letter, instructing him to meet Sir George at Woodville, where they were to remain for some days, for the purpose, he laughingly said, .of passing examination from Lord Elsdale, he supposed.

“I should have been as well pleased," continued he, "if I was to have joined Sir George elsewhere. It is rather curious that Henry Welsh and I should be thrown together in a manner again. I have never fancied that he had a particular partiality for me. There was something between us at school-I almost forget what -I suppose he has never got over it, for he is always cool in his manner to me."

"At all events," replied Mrs. Weston, "it is pretty clear he has done nothing to prejudice Lord Elsdale against you." He would not do that," said he. "And after all it may be only my own conceit. I make no doubt we shall be excellent friends at Woodville. I, for my part, have not the slightest ill-will towards him, nor ever had."

Manvers was right. The shock which the honourable mind receives from a breach of integrity in another will remain indelible, when, from the memory of him who inflicted it, remembrance of the circumstances has passed lightly away.

The circumstance to which allusion has thus been made was as follows:

At an examination at the school in which the two boys were placed, a Greek ode had been given for translation. As it was Henry's last year, he was exceedingly anxious to acquit himself well; and, painstaking as he had ever been, he was doubly so on the present occasion. He was making a fair copy when Manvers approached the desk at which he was sitting, and placed himself beside him.

"What! not done yet?" said he. "What pains you are taking!" "It is very difficult," observed Henry.

"Do you think so?" exclaimed Manvers. "I can't say that I do. One line, indeed, is very puzzling."

"Puzzling, indeed," repeated the other; "it has cost me more trouble than all the rest put together. I wish I may have construed it correctly at last-but I doubt it."

"I should like to see how you have understood it," said Manvers; "let me look. Oh! you need not be afraid to show it, it will be no advantage to me. My translation has been finished this hour. There it is, lying on Mr. Steel's desk."

Henry dropped his arm, and exposed the copy which was before him.

Manvers eagerly cast his eyes over it. take it?" cried he, with evident surprise. used in that sense?"

"Is that the way you "How can the verb be

Henry made no reply: he was anxious to complete his task, and he again began to write. Manvers walked back to his seat. At first he had thought that Henry was altogether in error; but a little reflection proved to his quick mind that he was partially correct, whereas he himself had entirely mistaken the sense. The line, intricate as it was, was now perfectly clear to him. He was vexed!—that ever it had not struck him before !--it was now too late! He seized a pen, and continued to cut it till there was scarcely any part of it remaining. Should he, or should he not, execute the project he was revolving in his mind? Why was he not to do the best for himself? Henry's translation could not be hurt by it. Whatever merit could be ascribed to it-much or littlehe should take nothing from it. Why, then, should he not avail himself of the fruit of his own penetration, and give in a correct rendering of the passage? For a few moments he hesitated, and then, as is generally the case when we parley with our doubts, temptation prevailed. A fresh copy was rapidly completed, and an exchange of papers skilfully effected.

The exercises of the youths were carefully and impartially examined, and afterwards publicly commented upon. Much credit was given to Henry, but the full meed of praise to Manvers. "You," said Mr. Steel, addressing the first, "have shadowed out the truth in this very intricate line, the test of many a student's skill; but you, Weston, have filled up the outline completely and accurately."

All seemed, in the first instance, perfectly natural to the humble mind of Henry: no one could be more sensible than himself of the general superiority of Manvers. A little reflection, however, and a review of what had passed between them, coupled with the positive assertion of one of the boys that he saw Manvers making a fresh copy of his translation; and of another, that he watched him exchanging one paper for another, though, as many lay on the desk, he could not tell what it might be awoke a strong suspicion in his mind that Manvers had not acted honourably by him. A great deal was said in the youthful community on this subject. Manvers, however, as if in disdain of such insinuations, maintained inflexible silence, nor, when Henry plainly told him his suspicions, would he give any reply that bore directly on the point at issue. Other events soon created fresh interest, further mention of the crcumstance died away, but from henceforth little intercourse was cultivated between the two youths.

Sir George Willoughby and Manvers had now arrived at