"They tell me you were at Poghley last summer, so perchance you saw then the old moated house which lies a few miles from the village?
That house is mine, though I have seldom visited it, and never dwelt there till now.

But it came into my mind that it would be a pleasant place wherein to pass these next weeks, during which time Oxford will be empty of her scholars and masters.

But I love not solitude, and I have gathered together a few congenial spirits.
Dalaber and Fitzjames are already there, making all ready, and Radley will start tomorrow, taking Master Clarke in his charge, since it is of all things needful for him to have a change of air to restore him to health.

He will be our chaplain, and edify us by his discourses when he has recovered his health and strength.

But more than this: we want some man of learning and greater age and standing to direct us in our studies; and it is my great hope that you and your daughters will come and be my guests for a few weeks--you, dear sir, to recover health in the purer air, and then, when your strength permits it, be the director of our studies; and these sweet ladies to enjoy the rest and ease which their recent devoted labours render necessary, and to escape from the noxious miasma now rising from these low lands round Oxford, which is likely to cause the sickness here to increase." The doctor's face lighted as Arthur proceeded to describe the situation of the house and the arrangements he had made for his guests.