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help them with their daily life as well as officiating at the usual ceremonies. I think I could do that, sir.’
    He looked at me intently and then he said, ‘I believe you could. I have watched you a great deal lately, George, and what I have seen has pleased me, for I have seen that you care about people. I noticed you trying to please Anne when she was here, and that was good of you, because, as you know, she has been in low spirits since she lost her father. Then, too, you have always been kind to Georgiana. It is not every boy who would take the trouble to speak to a little girl and show an interest in her early attempts at needlework and other accomplishments, as I have seen you do. And I noticed you on the lawn a few weeks ago, helping her to learn to dance.
    ‘It is early days yet, you are still very young, but if you are of the same mind in a few years time, I will give you the means to train for the church. Once ordained, I will make one of the family livings available to you. The one at Church Cross will probably suit you, and if you do well there, I have other livings in my gift which will be yours in due course.’
    I expressed myself surprised and grateful at his interest in my future. He smiled and said that he had always been pleased with my father’s stewardship and that he liked to reward those who served him well.
    And there it was again, that word serve .
    I hid my feelings, thanked him again for his words, and left his study. I went straight home, where I told my parents what had happened.
    Papa was very pleased and so was Mama. In truth, I might do a great deal worse, but then again I might do a great deal better.
    Both Anne and Georgiana like and trust me.
    Who knows what the future might bring?

1790

25th September 1790
    Papa lectured me this morning on the many pitfalls awaiting a young man on his going to university, the bad crowds he might fall in with, and the perils of gambling, drunkenness, and licentiousness. I listened with an interested air, but underneath I could not wait to be gone. Only think, two more weeks and I will be in Cambridge, with all the bustle, noise, and buildings; the air of wealth and importance; the fashionable vehicles and the finely dressed people!
    ‘This is your chance,’ said Mama to me this afternoon. ‘Make good friends, George, friends who can help you. You will need to drink with them and gamble with them but keep your wits about you. Never play cards when you are drunk and never compromise a young lady who has relatives to support her. Stick to women of the lower orders, pay them for their services, make yourself agreeable to anyone with wealthy sisters, and you should do well.’
    ‘I mean to, Mama. And when I have caught an heiress I will take you to London and you can shop to your heart’s content.’
    ‘I am too old to think of shopping now,’ she said with a sigh.
    ‘Nonsense, you are the prettiest woman in the neighbourhood even now, and I’ll warrant the prettiest in the country as well.’
    She laughed, and I bowed and she curtseyed, and then she went to her escritoire and took out a purse. She opened it and I saw that it was full of money.
    ‘How did you come by such a large amount?’ I asked her in amazement.
    ‘I have been saving it for you,’ she said.
    ‘Saving?’ I asked incredulously.
    ‘My dear boy, see how I love you. I would even save for you! I knew your papa would not give you enough money to go away with and so here is some more. Spend it wisely. Throw some away to begin with—you are young and you need your fun like everyone else—but then think how best to spend it because it will not last forever. Clothes are important; they will mark you out as a gentleman, and, moreover, a gentleman of the right sort. See what the other well-bred young men are wearing and do likewise. Go to their tailors. Show them that you are one of them, and everything else will follow: invitations to country estates, dinner parties, balls, and all