er of imbibing "military port;" and his habits had followed him to
Tichborne, and the young officer had been seen at least on one
occasion in a state of semi-intoxication--no less a word will describe
his condition. He was also accustomed to bring in his portmanteau
French novels, which were decidedly objectionable, though few young
men would probably regard it as much sin to read them. So little did
the young man appreciate her objections to this exciting kind of
literature that he had actually recommended to his aunt some stories
which no amount of humour and cleverness could prevent that pious lady
regarding as debasing and absolutely immoral. How Lady Doughty felt
under all the circumstances of Roger's love, as compared with his
general conduct, will be best shown by the following letter:--

"1850. Tichborne Park, _begun_ 29 _Jan., finished 31st._

"MY DEAREST ROGER,--After three weeks being between life and
death it has pleased God to restore me so far that I have
this day for the first time been in the wheel chair to the
drawing-room, and I hasten to begin my thanks to you for
your letters, especially that private one, though it may yet
be some days before I finish all I wish to say to you, for I
am yet very weak, and my eyes scarcely allow of reading or
writing.... Remember, dear Roger, that by that conversation
in town you gave me every right to be deeply interested in
your fate, and therefore doubly do I feel grieved when I see
you abusing that noblest of God's gifts to man, reason, by
diminishing its power.... I cannot recall to my mind the
subject you say I was beginning in the drawing-room when
interrupted; probably it might have had reference to the
confidence which you say you do not repent having placed in
me. No, dear Roger, never repent it; be fully assured that I
never shall betray that confidence. You are young, and
intercourse with life and the society you must mix with
might very possibly change your feelings towards one now
dear to you, or rather settle them into the affection of a
brother towards a sister; but whatever may be the case
hereafter, my line of duty is marked out, and ought steadily
to be followed; that is, not to encourage anything that
could fetter the future choice of either party before they
had fully seen others and mixed with the world, and with