me worldly views might
not suit even with good Mrs. Lambert's spiritual plans (for who
knows into what pure Eden, though guarded by flaming-sworded angels,
worldliness will not creep?). Her son was about to take orders. My Lord
Castlewood feared very much that his present chaplain's, Mr. Sampson's,
careless life and heterodox conversations might lead him to give up his
chaplaincy: in which case, my lord hinted the little modest cure would
be vacant, and at the service of some young divine of good principles
and good manners, who would be content with a small stipend, and a small
but friendly congregation.

Thus an acquaintance was established between the two families, and the
ladies of Castlewood, always on their good behaviour, came more than
once to make their curtseys in Mrs. Lambert's drawing-room. They were
civil to the parents and the young ladies. My Lady Castlewood's card
assemblies were open to Mrs. Lambert and her family. There was play,
certainly--all the world played--his Majesty, the Bishops, every Peer
and Peeress in the land. But nobody need play who did not like; and
surely nobody need have scruples regarding the practice, when such
august and venerable personages were daily found to abet it. More than
once Mrs. Lambert made her appearance at her ladyship's routs, and
was grateful for the welcome which she received, and pleased with the
admiration which her daughters excited.

Mention has been made, in a foregoing page and letter, of an American
family of Dutch extraction, who had come to England very strongly
recommended by Madam Esmond, their Virginian neighbour, to her sons in
Europe. The views expressed in Madam Esmond's letter were so clear, that
that arch match-maker, Mrs. Lambert, could not but understand them. As
for George, he was engaged already; as for poor Hetty's flame, Harry, he
was gone on service, for which circumstance Hetty's mother was not very
sorry perhaps. She laughingly told George that he ought to obey his
mamma's injunctions, break off his engagement with Theo, and make up to
Miss Lydia, who was ten times--ten times! a hundred times as rich as
her poor girl, and certainly much handsomer. "Yes, indeed," says George,
"that I own: she is handsomer, and she is richer, and perhaps even
cleverer." (All which praises Mrs. Lambert but half liked.) "But say
she is all these? So is Mr. Johnson much cleverer than I am: so is, whom
shall we say?--so is Mr. Hagan the actor much taller and ha