ks for that escape,
which saved me a deal of money, Mr. George--for the rate at which ships
is underwrote this war-time is so scandalous that I often prefer to
venture than to insure--that I confess I didn't listen much to the play,
sir, and only went to please this little Lyddy."

"And you did please me, dearest Gappy!" cries the young lady.

"Bless you! then it's all I want. What does a man want more here below
than to please his children, Mr. George? especially me, who knew what
was to be unhappy when I was young, and to repent of having treated this
darling's father too hard."

"Oh, grandpapa!" cries the child, with more caresses.

"Yes, I was too hard with him, dear; and that's why I spoil my little
Lydkin so!"

More kisses ensue between Lyddy and Gappy. The little creature flings
the pretty polished arms round the old man's neck, presses the dark red
lips on his withered cheek, surrounds the venerable head with a halo of
powder beaten out of his wig by her caresses; and eyes Mr. George the
while, as much as to say, There, sir! should you not like me to do as
much for you?

We confess;--but do we confess all? George certainly told the story of
his interview with Lyddy and Gappy, and the old man's news regarding his
granddaughter's wealth; but I don't think he told everything; else Theo
would scarce have been so much interested, or so entirely amused and
good-humoured with Lyddy when next the two young ladies met.

They met now pretty frequently, especially after the old American
gentleman took up his residence in Bloomsbury. Mr. Van den Bosch was
in the city for the most part of the day, attending to his affairs, and
appearing at his place upon 'Change. During his absence Lyddy had the
command of the house, and received her guests there like a lady, or rode
abroad in a fine coach, which she ordered her grandpapa to keep for her,
and into which he could very seldom be induced to set his foot. Before
long Miss Lyddy was as easy in the coach as if she had ridden in one
all her life. She ordered the domestics here and there; she drove to the
mercer's and the jeweller's, and she called upon her friends with the
utmost stateliness, or rode abroad with them to take the air. Theo and
Hetty were both greatly diverted with her: but would the elder have been
quite as well pleased had she known all Miss Lyddy's doings? Not that
Theo was of a jealous disposition,--far otherwise; but there are cases
when a lady has a rig