ness. The parson glorified my escape in a sermon; the
neighbours came to visit the fugitive; the family coach was ordered out,
and Madam Esmond and I paid our visits in return. I think some pretty
little caps were set at me. But these our mother routed off, and
frightened with the prodigious haughtiness of her demeanour; and my
popularity was already at the decrease before the event occurred which
put the last finishing stroke to it. I was not jolly enough for the
officers, and didn't care for their drinking-bouts, dice-boxes, and
swearing. I was too sarcastic for the ladies, and their tea and tattle
stupefied me almost as much as the men's blustering and horse-talk. I
cannot tell thee, Harry, how lonely I felt in that place, amidst the
scandal and squabbles: I regretted my prison almost, and found myself
more than once wishing for the freedom of thought, and the silent ease
of Duquesne. I am very shy, I suppose: I can speak unreservedly to very
few people. Before most, I sit utterly silent. When we two were at home,
it was thou who used to talk at table, and get a smile now and then from
our mother. When she and I were together we had no subject in common,
and we scarce spoke at all until we began to dispute about law and
divinity.

"So the gentlemen had determined I was supercilious, and a dull
companion (and, indeed, I think their opinion was right), and the ladies
thought I was cold and sarcastic,--could never make out whether I was
in earnest or no, and, I think, generally voted I was a disagreeable
fellow, before my character was gone quite away; and that went with the
appearance of the poor Biche. Oh, a nice character they made for me, my
dear!" cried George, in a transport of wrath, "and a pretty life they
led me after Museau's unlucky messenger had appeared amongst us! The
boys hooted the poor woman if she appeared in the street; the ladies
dropped me half-curtseys, and walked over to the other side. That
precious clergyman went from one tea-table to another preaching on the
horrors of seduction, and the lax principles which young men learned in
popish countries and brought back thence. The poor Fawn's appearance
at home a few weeks after my return home, was declared to be a scheme
between her and me; and the best informed agreed that she had waited on
the other side of the river until I gave her the signal to come and
join me in Richmond. The officers bantered me at the coffee-house, and
cracked their clumsy j