were singing.
The twigs are now bare, perhaps, and the leaves have fallen; but, for
all that, shall we not,--remember the vernal time? As for you, young
people, whose May (or April, is it?) has not commenced yet, you need not
be detained over other folks' love-rhapsodies; depend on it, when your
spring-season arrives, kindly Nature will warm all your flowers into
bloom, and rouse your glad bosoms to pour out their full song.

CHAPTER LXIX. A Little Innocent

George Warrington has mentioned in the letter just quoted, that in spite
of my Lord Castlewood's previous play transactions with Harry, my lord
and George remained friends, and met on terms of good kinsmanship. Did
George want franks, or an introduction at court, or a place in the House
of Lords to hear a debate, his cousin was always ready to serve him,
was a pleasant and witty companion, and would do anything which might
promote his relative's interests, provided his own were not prejudiced.

Now he even went so far as to promise that he would do his best with the
people in power to provide a place for Mr. George Warrington, who daily
showed a greater disinclination to return to his native country, and
place himself once more under the maternal servitude. George had not
merely a sentimental motive for remaining in England: the pursuits and
society of London pleased him infinitely better than any which he could
have at home. A planter's life of idleness might have suited him, could
he have enjoyed independence with it. But in Virginia he was only the
first, and, as he thought, the worst treated, of his mother's subjects.
He dreaded to think of returning with his young bride to his home, and
of the life which she would be destined to lead there. Better freedom
and poverty in England, with congenial society, and a hope perchance of
future distinction, than the wearisome routine of home life, the tedious
subordination, the frequent bickerings, the certain jealousies and
differences of opinion, to which he must subject his wife so soon as
they turned their faces homeward.

So Lord Castlewood's promise to provide for George was very eagerly
accepted by the Virginian. My lord had not provided very well for
his own brother to be sure, and his own position, peer as he was, was
anything but enviable; but we believe what we wish to believe, and
George Warrington chose to put great stress upon his kinsman's offer
of patronage. Unlike the Warrington family, Lord Ca