CHAPTER XXIX. A DINNER-PARTY SUB ROSA. 

In less than a week's time I was master of the state of affairs at Borden Tower. Dr. Randall, with the best possible intentions, was the worst possible man that could have been chosen for the guardianship of two such pupils as Lord Silchester and Leonard de Cartienne. He was a scholar and a pedant, utterly unsuspicious and ignorant of the ways of the world, himself so truthful and honourable that he could scarcely have imagined deceit possible in others, and certainly not in his own wards. Of the servants, James and his wife were the only ones in authority, and they were the tools of de Cartienne. 

The latter I could not quite understand. The only thing about him perfectly clear was that he was just the worst companion possible for Silchester. For the rest, he was so clever that his presence here at all as a pupil seemed unnecessary. He appeared to be rich and he took a deep interest of some sort in Cecil. Seemingly it was a friendly interest, but of that I did not feel assured. At any rate, it was an injurious association for Cecil, and I determined to do everything in my power to counteract it. 

To strike at once, to attempt to show him the folly of the courses into which he was being led, I saw would be futile. I must have time and opportunity. Any violent measures in such a case would be worse than useless. My only course, obnoxious though it was, was to join them in their pursuits and try to gain some sort of influence over Cecil, while I kept him as far as possible from falling into further mischief. 
What did the narrator master?
How long it took him?
Who was not a good choice?
Did he have good intentions?
What was he not good for?
Of how many?
Who were they?
Was Randall a knowledgeable man?
Was he a suspicious man?
Was he a worldly man?
Was he kind of naive?
Who was one of the servants?
Was he accompanied by someone?
Who was a bad companion for Silchester?
Was he out of place as a pupil?
Was he smarter than others?
Did he look wealthy?
Who was his interest?
Was it good for Cecil?
Did the narrator want to influence Cecil?
the state of affairs at Borden Tower
In less than a week's time I was master of the state of affairs at Borden Towe
less than a week
In less than a week's time
Dr. Randall
Dr. Randall, with the best possible intentions, was the worst possible man that could have been chosen for the guardianship of two such pupils as Lord Silchester and Leonard de Cartienne
Yes
with the best possible intentions
guardian
was the worst possible man that could have been chosen for the guardianship
two
two such pupils as Lord Silchester and Leonard de Cartienne.
Lord Silchester and Leonard de Cartienne
 two such pupils as Lord Silchester and Leonard de Cartienne
Yes
He was a scholar
No
utterly unsuspicious and ignorant of the ways of the world
No
 ignorant of the ways of the world
Yes
 himself so truthful and honourable that he could scarcely have imagined deceit possible in others, and certainly not in his own wards
James
Of the servants, James and his wife were the only ones in authority, and they were the tools of de Cartienne.
his wife
James and his wife were the only ones in authority, and they were the tools of de Cartienne
de Cartienne
The latter I could not quite understand. The only thing about him perfectly clear was that he was just the worst companion possible for Silchester.
Yes
 For the rest, he was so clever that his presence here at all as a pupil seemed unnecessary.
Yes
For the rest, he was so clever that his presence here at all as a pupil seemed unnecessary
Yes
He appeared to be rich
Cecil
He appeared to be rich and he took a deep interest of some sort in Cecil
No
it was an injurious association for Cecil
Yes
I determined to do everything in my power to counteract it. 