how ladies of that rank must be indignant at
their relative's marriage with a person of Mr. Hagan's condition; but to
desert her is a very different matter."

"Indeed, my dear child," cries mamma, "you are talking of what you don't
understand. After my Lady Maria's conduct, no respectable person can go
to see her."

"What conduct, mamma?"

"Never mind," cries mamma. "Little girls can't be expected to know, and
ought not to be too curious to inquire, what Lady Maria's conduct has
been! Suffice it, miss, that I am shocked her ladyship should ever have
been here; and I say again, no honest person should associate with her!"

"Then, Aunt Lambert, I must be whipped and sent to bed," says George,
with mock gravity. "I own to you (though I did not confess sooner,
seeing that the affair was not mine) that I have been to see my cousin
the player, and her ladyship his wife. I found them in very dirty
lodgings in Westminster, where the wretch has the shabbiness to keep not
only his wife, but his old mother, and a little brother, whom he puts
to school. I found Mr. Hagan, and came away with a liking, and almost a
respect for him, although I own he has made a very improvident marriage.
But how improvident some folks are about marriage, aren't they, Theo?"

"Improvident, if they marry such spendthrifts as you," says the General.
"Master George found his relations, and I'll be bound to say he left his
purse behind him."

"No, not the purse, sir," says George, smiling very tenderly. "Theo made
that. But I am bound to own it came empty away. Mr. Rich is in great
dudgeon. He says he hardly dares have Hagan on his stage, and is afraid
of a riot, such as Mr. Garrick had about the foreign dancers. This is to
be a fine gentleman's riot. The macaronis are furious, and vow they will
pelt Mr. Hagan, and have him cudgelled afterwards. My cousin Will, at
Arthur's, has taken his oath he will have the actor's ears. Meanwhile,
as the poor man does not play, they have cut off his salary; and without
his salary, this luckless pair of lovers have no means to buy bread and
cheese."

"And you took it to them, sir? It was like you, George!" says Theo,
worshipping him with her eyes.

"It was your purse took it, dear Theo!" replies George.

"Mamma, I hope you will go and see them to-morrow!" prays Theo.

"If she doesn't, I shall get a divorce, my dear!" cries papa. "Come and
kiss me, you little wench--that is, avec la bonne permission de monsieu