"It is quite true. Mr. Wilberforce saw mamma at the window, and came in to ask her how she was, and when she went, and all that. Mamma said how puzzled she had been what to do with you, but it was decided now you were to go to Mr. Arkell's. So then the master said he thought you had better go to him, and he should be most happy to invite you there for the time, no matter how long we remained away; and when mamma attempted to say something about the great kindness, he interrupted her, saying you had always been so good a pupil, and given him so little trouble, and did him altogether so much credit, that he should consider the obligation was on his side. So it is quite decided, Harry, and you are to go there." "That's good news, then. And what's the other, Lucy?" "Ah! the other concerns me. It is good, too." "Are you going to be married?" The question was but spoken in jest, and Henry wondered to see his sister's face change; but she only shook her head and laughed. "Eva Prattleton is to accompany us to the sea-side." "Eva Prattleton!" "Mr. Prattleton came in just after the master left," resumed Lucy. "He said he had come with a petition: would mamma take charge of Eva to the sea-side, and let her go with us? He had intended--you know we heard of it, Harry--to take his two daughters to Switzerland this summer for a treat; but he begins to fear that Eva will not be equal to the travelling, for she's not strong, and a little thing fatigues her; and he thinks a month or two of quiet at the sea-side would do her more good. So _that's_ arranged as well as the other." "And what will Mary do?" "Oh, she goes to Switzerland with her papa. He has not given up his journey. The two boys are to stay at home, and George Prattleton's to take care of them." Henry laughed. The idea of Mr. George Prattleton's taking care of the boys struck him as being something ludicrous. "But what do you think mamma says?" added Lucy, dropping her voice. "The terms hinted at by Mr. Prattleton for Eva were so liberal, that mamma feels sure he is doing this as much to make our sojourn there more easy to us, as for Eva's benefit; though she is not well, of course, and never has been since her mother's death; the grief then seemed to take such a hold upon her. How kind to us the Prattletons have always been!" Henry mentally echoed the words--for they were true ones--all unconscious that a time was quickly approaching when he should have to repay this kindness with something very like ingratitude. CHAPTER II. THE TOUR OF DAVID DUNDYKE, ESQUIRE. Perhaps of all the changes time had wrought, in those connected with our history, not one was more remarkable than that in Mr. and Mrs. Dundyke, in regard to their position in the world. They had changed in themselves of course; we all change; and were now middle-aged people of some five-and-forty years: Mr. Dundyke being red and portly; his wife, thin and meek as ever.