to the nomenclature of a sheriff's lady, but
resuming their legal or analogical dignities, and styled the 'honourable
baronetess,' with her coronet and robe, or the 'honourable knightess,'
with her golden collar of S.S., and chaplet or cap of dignity, may
either accompany the procession, or ranged in galleries in a becoming
situation, rain influence from above."

"I am all for their going in the procession," said Egremont.

"The point is not so clear," said Sir Vavasour solemnly; "and indeed,
although we have been firm in defining our rightful claims in our
petitions, as for 'honorary epithets, secondary titles, personal
decorations, and augmented heraldic bearings.' I am not clear if
the government evinced a disposition for a liberal settlement of the
question, I would not urge a too stringent adherence to every point. For
instance, I am prepared myself, great as would be the sacrifice, even
to renounce the claim of secondary titles for our eldest sons, if for
instance they would secure us our coronet."

"Fie, fie, Sir Vavasour," said Egremont very seriously, "remember
principle: no expediency, no compromise."

"You are right," said the baronet, colouring a little; "and do you
know, Mr Egremont, you are the only individual I have yet met out of
the Order, who has taken a sensible view of this great question, which,
after all, is the question of the day."

Book 2 Chapter 3

The situation of the rural town of Marney was one of the most delightful
easily to be imagined. In a spreading dale, contiguous to the margin of
a clear and lively stream, surrounded by meadows and gardens, and backed
by lofty hills, undulating and richly wooded, the traveller on the
opposite heights of the dale would often stop to admire the merry
prospect, that recalled to him the traditional epithet of his country.

Beautiful illusion! For behind that laughing landscape, penury and
disease fed upon the vitals of a miserable population!

The contrast between the interior of the town and its external aspect,
was as striking as it was full of pain. With the exception of the dull
high street, which had the usual characteristics of a small agricultural
market town, some sombre mansions, a dingy inn, and a petty bourse,
Marney mainly consisted of a variety of narrow and crowded lanes formed
by cottages built of rubble, or unhewn stones without cement, and from
age, or badness of the material, looking as if they could scarcely hold
tog