whom you are the head. This is the only objection to our plan which
we anticipate from you, unless it be the consideration of health. But
this is a thing so entirely uncertain, so many die at home, and so
many sustain the trial of a foreign climate, and live to old age in
it, that we cannot foresee and calculate, and therefore should not
suffer our plans to be deranged by too much regard to this
consideration, but should trust, that, whether at home or abroad, all
will be well with those whom we love. You will let us know soon what
you think of our plan, and you will make up your mind to part with
Alfred at the end of a year from next Midsummer. In the mean time, he
had better continue at the school where he now is, and the only
direction we have to give is, that he will continue to devote his
attention to mathematics. If tolerably advanced in this branch of
study, he will set out with the more advantage in his new studies next
year.

"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 fr