ful in being by her now, and one feels
sure that it will be much happier and better for her to be at
rest. If she could only feel comfortable about her son, I am sure
she would think so herself. Oh, I forgot to say that her attack
was brought on by the shock of hearing that he had been summoned
for an assault. Farmer Tester's son, a young man about his own
age, has, it seems, been of late waylaying Simon's daughter and
making love to her. It is so very hard to make out the truth in
matters of this kind. Hopkins says she is a dressed-up little
minx who runs after all the young men in the parish; but really,
from what I see and hear from other persons, I think she is a
good girl enough. Even Betty, who looks on her as the cause of
most of her own trouble, has never said a word to make me think
that she is at all a light person, or more fond of admiration
than any other good-looking girl in the parish.

"But those Testers are a very wicked set. You cannot think what a
misfortune it is in a place like this to have these rich families
with estates of their own, in which the young men begin to think
themselves above the common farmers. They ape the gentlemen, and
give themselves great airs, but of course no gentleman will
associate with them, as they are quite uneducated; and the
consequence is that they live a great deal at home, and give
themselves up to all kinds of wickedness. This young Tester is
one of these. His father is a very bad old man, and does a great
deal of harm here; and the son is following in his steps, and is
quite as bad, or worse. So you see that I shall not easily
believe that Harry Winburn has been much in the wrong. However,
all I know of it at present is that young Tester was beaten by
Harry yesterday evening in the village street, and that they came
to papa at once for a summons.

"Oh, here is the coachman ready to start; so I must conclude,
dear, and go back to my patient. I shall often think of you
during the day. I am sure you will have a charming party. With
best love to all, believe me, ever dearest,

"Your most affectionate,

"KATIE.

"P. S.--I am very glad that uncle and aunt take to Tom, and that
he is staying with you for some days. You will find him very
useful in making the party go off well, I am sure."

CHAPTER XXX

AMUSEMENTS AT BARTON MANOR

"A letter, Miss, from Englebourn," said a footman, coming up to
Mary with the note given at the end of the last chapter, on a