down, at length, into a useful and respected member of
society--I would rather that he died to-morrow!--rather a thousand
times!' she earnestly repeated, pressing her darling to her side and
kissing his forehead with intense affection. He had already left his new
companion, and been standing for some time beside his mother's knee,
looking up into her face, and listening in silent wonder to her
incomprehensible discourse.

'Well! you ladies must always have the last word, I suppose,' said I,
observing her rise, and begin to take leave of my mother.

'You may have as many words as you please,--only I can't stay to hear
them.'

'No; that is the way: you hear just as much of an argument as you please;
and the rest may be spoken to the wind.'

'If you are anxious to say anything more on the subject,' replied she, as
she shook hands with Rose, 'you must bring your sister to see me some
fine day, and I'll listen, as patiently as you could wish, to whatever
you please to say. I would rather be lectured by you than the vicar,
because I should have less remorse in telling you, at the end of the
discourse, that I preserve my own opinion precisely the same as at the
beginning--as would be the case, I am persuaded, with regard to either
logician.'

'Yes, of course,' replied I, determined to be as provoking as herself;
'for when a lady does consent to listen to an argument against her own
opinions, she is always predetermined to withstand it--to listen only
with her bodily ears, keeping the mental organs resolutely closed against
the strongest reasoning.'

'Good-morning, Mr. Markham,' said my fair antagonist, with a pitying
smile; and deigning no further rejoinder, she slightly bowed, and was
about to withdraw; but her son, with childish impertinence, arrested her
by exclaiming,--'Mamma, you have not shaken hands with Mr. Markham!'

She laughingly turned round and held out her hand. I gave it a spiteful
squeeze, for I was annoyed at the continual injustice she had done me
from the very dawn of our acquaintance. Without knowing anything about
my real disposition and principles, she was evidently prejudiced against
me, and seemed bent upon showing me that her opinions respecting me, on
every particular, fell far below those I entertained of myself. I was
naturally touchy, or it would not have vexed me so much. Perhaps, too, I
was a little bit spoiled by my mother and sister, and some other ladies
of my acquaintance;--and