the 4th of September. This will bring Leonard home four days before
the end of the holidays, for he has been most warmly invited, Hector
adopting him into the brotherhood of papa's pets. I am glad he is
not left out; and Mary had better prove to Averil that he will be
much happier for having no time at home before the half year begins.
He still shrinks from the very name being brought before him. Let me
know, if you please, whether this arrangement will suit, as I am to
write to Blanche. Dear little woman, I hope Hector won't make a
spoilt child of her, they are so very young, and their means seem so
unlimited to them both, Hector wanting to make her and us presents of
whatever we admired, and when she civilly praised Mab, vehemently
declaring that she should have just such another if money could
purchase, or if not, he would find a way. "Thank you, Hector dear, I
had rather not," placidly responds Blanche, making his vehemence fall
so flat, and Leonard's almost exulting alarm glide into such semi-
mortification, that I could have laughed, though I remain in hopes
that her "rather not" may always be as prudent, for I believe it is
the only limit to Hector's gifts.'

* * * * * *

'29th, 8 A. M.--Farewell to the Coombe of Coombes. I write while
waiting for the fly, and shall post this at Weymouth, where we are to
be met. We have been so happy here, that I could be sentimental, if
Leonard were not tete-a-tete with me, and on the verge of that
predicament. "Never so happy in his life," quoth he, "and never will
be again--wonders when he shall gee this white cliff again." But,
happily, in tumbles Aubrey with the big claw of a crab, which he
insists on Leonard's wearing next his heart as a souvenir of Mrs.
Gisborne; he is requited with an attempt to pinch his nose therewith,