more or less a
Prometheus? Who has not his rock (ai, ai), his chain (ea, ea), and his
liver in a deuce of a condition? But the sea-nymphs come--the gentle,
the sympathising; they kiss our writhing feet; they moisten our parched
lips with their tears; they do their blessed best to console us Titans;
they don't turn their backs upon us after our overthrow.

Now Theo and her mother were full of pity for Harry; but Hetty's heart
was rather hard and seemingly savage towards him. She chafed that
his position was not more glorious; she was angry that he was still
dependent and idle. The whole world was in arms, and could he not carry
a musket? It was harvest-time, and hundreds of thousands of reapers were
out with their flashing sickles; could he not use his, and cut down his
sheaf or two of glory?

"Why, how savage the little thing is with him!" says papa, after a scene
in which, according to her wont, Miss Hetty had been firing little
shots into that quivering target which came and set itself up in Mrs.
Lambert's drawing-room every day.

"Her conduct is perfectly abominable!" cries mamma; "she deserves to be
whipped, and sent to bed."

"Perhaps, mother, it is because she likes him better than any of us do,"
says Theo, "and it is for his sake that Hetty is angry. If I were fond
of--of some one, I should like to be able to admire and respect him
always--to think everything he did right--and my gentleman better than
all the gentlemen in the world."

"The truth is, my dear," answers Mrs. Lambert, "that your father is so
much better than all the world, he has spoiled us. Did you ever see any
one to compare with him?"

"Very few, indeed," owns Theo, with a blush.

"Very few. Who is so good-tempered?"

"I think nobody, mamma," Theo acknowledges.

"Or so brave?"

"Why, I dare say Mr. Wolfe, or Harry, or Mr. George, are very brave."

"Or so learned and witty?"

"I am sure Mr. George seems very learned, and witty too, in his way,"
says Theo; "and his manners are very fine--you own they are. Madame de
Bernstein says they are, and she hath seen the world. Indeed, Mr. George
has a lofty way with him, which I don't see in other people; and, in
reading books, I find he chooses the fine noble things always, and loves
them in spite of all his satire. He certainly is of a satirical turn,
but then he is only bitter against mean things and people. No gentleman
hath a more tender heart I am sure; and but yesterday, after he had b