arlow, with much regret, took leave of both his pupils. Harry,
from the experience he had formerly acquired of polite life, had no
great inclination for the expedition; however, his temper was too easy
and obliging to raise any objections, and the real affection he now
entertained for Master Merton rendered him less averse than he would
otherwise have been.

When they arrived at Mr Merton's, they were introduced into a crowded
drawing-room, full of the most elegant company which that part of the
country afforded, among whom were several young gentlemen and ladies of
different ages, who had been purposely invited to spend their holidays
with Master Merton. As soon as Master Merton entered, every tongue was
let loose in his praise; "he was grown, he was improved, he was such a
charming boy;" his eyes, his hair, his teeth, his every feature was the
admiration of all the ladies. Thrice did he make the circle, in order to
receive the congratulations of the company, and to be introduced to the
young ladies.

As to Harry, he had the good fortune to be taken notice of by nobody
except Mr Merton, who received him with great cordiality. A lady,
however, who sat by Mrs Merton, asked her in a whisper, which was loud
enough to be heard all over the room, whether that was the little
_ploughboy_ whom she had heard Mr Barlow was attempting to breed up like
a gentleman. Mrs Merton answered it was. "I protest," said the lady, "I
should have thought so by his plebeian look and vulgar air. But I
wonder, my dear madam, that you will suffer your son, who, without
flattery, is one of the most accomplished children I ever saw in my
life, with quite the air of fashion, to keep such company. Are you not
afraid that Master Merton should insensibly contract bad habits, and a
grovelling way of thinking? For my own part, as I think a good education
is a thing of the utmost consequence in life, I have spared no pains to
give my dear Matilda every possible advantage." "Indeed," replied Mrs
Merton, "one may see the excellence of her education in everything Miss
Matilda does. She plays most divinely upon the harpsichord, talks French
even better than she does English, and draws in the style of a master.
Indeed, I think that last figure of the _naked Gladiator_ the finest
thing I ever saw in my life!"

While this conversation was going on in one part of the room, a young
lady, observing that nobody seemed to take the least notice of Harry,
advanced to