"We should like to see Alfred, and form our own judgment of him; and for this purpose, and also to afford him some pleasure, we hope you will not object to his spending a fortnight with us in the approaching holidays. Charles will let us know when to expect him, and we will make him as happy as we can. We have chosen the present opportunity of developing our plan to you, as we thought you would like to have Charles by your side to talk to concerning it. Wishing you much enjoyment together, and assuring you of our interest in all your concerns, I am, my dear young friend,-- "Most truly yours,-- "Sarah Rathbone." Charles and Jane looked at each other when they had finished reading this letter. "Well, Jane," said Charles, "what is your opinion of it?" "O, Charles, I do not at all like it. But we cannot judge till we have thought about it." "Let us think about it then," said Charles.--"In the first place, could you part with Alfred for many years, if you were thoroughly convinced that it would be for his good and ours?" "I could, I hope, _if_ I were convinced of that. But what good could counterbalance all the evils of such a separation to him and us?" "Let us consider the good first, Jane, and then we will weigh the evil against it. This is not a new idea to me; I had some suspicion of Mr Rathbone's plans, and so I have thought a little about the matter. If Alfred goes, we may have it in our power to repay our friends here the obligations we are under to them now; (I mean, of course, the pecuniary part of the obligation;) and we may be able to place Isabella and Harriet in a situation in society where their talents and virtues may be exercised with as much benefit to others, and without such painful labour and care as will probably be their lot, if, as we have hitherto expected, they have to work for their own subsistence. Are not these real, solid advantages?" "I believe they are," replied Jane. "And you too--" "O, I am out of the question just now, and so are you, Jane. We must now forget ourselves, and even each other, if we mean to decide coolly for the good of those who depend on us. Are there any other advantages? Is honour, fame, or whatever else we call it, a good?" "What kind of honour will it be?" asked Jane. "The honour of bravery, I suppose--a soldier's glory." "More than that," said Charles. "He may have the reputation of talent, of industry, and of general honourable principle." "This kind of reputation is valuable in many respects," said Jane; "but it may be had at home as well as in India, better perhaps: for I do not know how to reconcile the rapid acquisition of wealth with honourable principle." "Nor I," said Charles. "Well, do you reckon this honour an advantage?"