It is true the Oxonian has now and then practised the old gentleman’s doctrines a little in the extreme.  He is a gay youngster, rather fonder of his horse than his book, with a little dash of the dandy; though the ladies all declare that he is “the flower of the flock.”  The first year that he was sent to Oxford, he had a tutor appointed to overlook him, a dry chip of the university.  When he returned home in the vacation, the squire made many inquiries about how he liked his college, his studies, and his tutor.  “Oh, as to my tutor, sir, I have parted with him some time since.”  “You have; and, pray, why so?” “Oh, sir, hunting was all the go at our college, and I was a little short of funds; so I discharged my tutor, and took a horse, you know.”  “Ah, I was not aware of that, Tom,” said the squire, mildly.

When Tom returned to college his allowance was doubled, that he might be enabled to keep both horse and tutor.

[Illustration:  The Tutor’s Dismissal]

[Illustration:  The Offering]

Love symptoms.

     I will now begin to sigh, read poets, look pale, go neatly,
     and be most apparently in love.

     Marston.

I should not be surprised if we should have another pair of turtles at the Hall, for Master Simon has informed me, in great confidence, that he suspects the general of some design upon the susceptible heart of Lady Lillycraft.  I have, indeed, noticed a growing attention and courtesy in the veteran towards her ladyship; he softens very much in her company, sits by her at table, and entertains her with long stories about Seringapatam, and pleasant anecdotes of the Mulligatawney Club.  I have even seen him present her with a full-blown rose from the hot-house, in a style of the most captivating gallantry, and it was accepted with great suavity and graciousness; for her ladyship delights in receiving the homage and attention of the sex.

Indeed, the general was one of the earliest admirers that dangled in her train during her short reign of beauty; and they flirted together for half a season in London, some thirty or forty years since.  She reminded him lately, in the course of conversation about former days, of the time when he used to ride a white horse, and to canter so gallantly by the side of her carriage in Hyde Park; whereupon I have remarked that the veteran has regularly escorted her since, when she rides out on horseback; and I suspect he almost persuades himself that he makes as captivating an appearance as in his youthful days.

It would be an interesting and memorable circumstance in the chronicles of Cupid, if this spark of the tender passion, after lying dormant for such a length of time, should again be fanned into a flame from amidst the ashes of two burnt-out hearts.  It would be an instance of perdurable fidelity, worthy of being placed beside those recorded in one of the squire’s favourite tomes, commemorating the constancy of the olden times; in which times, we are told, “men and wymmen coulde love togyders seven yeres, and no licours luste swere betwene them, and thenne was love, trouthe, and feythfulness; and lo in lyke wyse was used love in Kyng Arthur’s dayes."[A]