be at once eligible for her, and without objection on the part of Lady Dacres.While he confidered and re-confidered the matter, time wore away. His fons, who were his greateft objects, came home for the Christmas recefs, and, with the eldest, such a report from the mafter of the public school where he had been placed, that, though it was conveyed in terms the most confiderate, Sir Audley was convinced an inftant removal from thence was neceffary; and his thoughts were immediately engroffed with fo important a debate as of course followed, in regard to what was to be done with a boy fo difficult to govern, and fo conscious of his own confequence.-Sir Audley was inclined to the University; but Lady Dacres remarking that the fons of fome of her acquaintance, who had been there, had turned out extremely ill, and that in the diplomatic line, for which Mr. Dacres was defigned, an univerfity education was by no means

neceffary; it was at length, after much hesitation and debate, determined, that. this eldeft hope of his family fhould make the tour of Italy and Germany, fince that of France could not now be included; and that he fhould forthwith. be provided with a tutor verfed in fo-. reign languages, and proceed in about. fix weeks on his travels.

Thefe deliberations, and fome difcoveries of his fon's difpofition, which, forced themselves upon his obfervation, however he wifhed not to fee them, fo entirely occupied his mind, that Althear was almoft forgotten-and the time he could fpare from his political engagements was wholly given to reprefs the exceffes of this young man, and to the difcovery of fome proper person to. whom he could be entrufted when no longer under parental authority.

During the courfe of this enquiry, it: happened, by the means of Lady Barbara, Newmarch, to reach the knowledge of.

one

one of thofe women in a certain rank of life, who with fome literature, and much pretence, acquire a fort of authority int fuch matters; ladies, who have converfations inftead of routs and affemblies, and who, without making too ftrict a fcrutiny into their motives, may often be allowed the praife of doing fome good, by their occafional patronage of obscure merit; though doubts have arifen whether they may not occafionally have done harm, in teaching thofe to fancy themselves people of genius, who had only affurance, and fome powers of imitation.

Be that as it may, Mrs. Gilborough, the lady now in queftion, having heard of Sir Audley's enquiry after a young man well educated as tutor to Mr. Dacres, loft no time in entreating' Lady Barbara to endeavour to keep the appointment open till a gentleman could" be written to, who, fhe was fure, would be unexceptionable.-Sir Audley rea

dily promifed the delay of a few days and then the following letters paffed be-. tween him and Mrs. Gifborough:

"DEAR SIR;

"Affured of your ftrong adherence to thofe principles which have always, diftinguifhed our families, and which your prefent highly refpectable connections do fo much honour to, I am. free to believe that the young gentle-. man whom I have to mention to you cannot fail of being approved, he owing. the decline of his family's fortune to the attachment of his ancestors to the Royal caufe in the trying period of 1640, &c. and fince they have, with lefs power, always been a very loyal family, though it has happened that their fortune has, from various causes, declined. The young gentleman, on whofe behalf I write, is called Marchmont, and is the laft of that ancient family. I am affured, and I believe from my own obfervations,

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tions, that he is very well qualified for the undertaking, to which I beg leave to recommend him. I am told that his morals are irreproachable. He fpeaks the French language perfectly, having refided fome years in France (where he has refpectable connections), and has a competent knowledge of the Italian and German-a good tafte in the polite arts; and, in a word, I am taught to believe, that on farther enquiry you would find Mr. Marchmont eminently qualified to attend your fon. I fhall be happy in being inftrumental in procuring him so honourable and fortunate an engagement; and have the honour to be, "With the greatest respect,

"Sir,

Your moft obedient humble fervant,

"A. GISBOROUGH.

"Welbeck-Street,

Jan. 17th."

To this Sir Audley returned, with very little hesitation, the following answer: