n't calculate the resources of
their dining-table, or those inevitable butchers' and fishmongers' bills
which will be brought to the ghastly housekeeper at the beginning of the
month.

Yes: it was rather selfish of my Lady Maria to seat herself at Hagan's
table and take the cream off the milk, and the wings of the chickens,
and the best half of everything where there was only enough before; and
no wonder the poor old mamma-in-law was disposed to grumble. But what
was her outcry compared to the clamour at Kensington among Lady Maria's
noble family? Think of the talk and scandal all over the town! Think of
the titters and whispers of the ladies in attendance at the Princess's
court, where Lady Fanny had a place; of the jokes of Mr. Will's
brother-officers at the usher's table; of the waggeries in the daily
prints and magazines; of the comments of outraged prudes; of the
laughter of the clubs and the sneers of the ungodly! At the receipt of
the news Madame Bernstein had fits and ran off to the solitude of her
dear rocks at Tunbridge Wells, where she did not see above forty people
of a night at cards. My lord refused to see his sister; and the Countess
in mourning, as we have said, waited upon one of her patronesses, a
gracious Princess, who was pleased to condole with her upon the disgrace
and calamity which had befallen her house. For one, two, three whole
days the town was excited and amused by the scandal; then there came
other news--a victory in Germany; doubtful accounts from America; a
general officer coming home to take his trial; an exquisite new soprano
singer from Italy; and the public forgot Lady Maria in her garret,
eating the hard-earned meal of the actor's family.

This is an extract from Mr. George Warrington's letter to his brother,
in which he describes other personal matters, as well as a visit he had
paid to the newly married pair:--

"My dearest little Theo," he writes, "was eager to accompany her mamma
upon this errand of charity; but I thought Aunt Lambert's visit would be
best under the circumstances, and without the attendance of her little
spinster aide-de-camp. Cousin Hagan was out when we called; we found
her ladyship in a loose undress, and with her hair in not the neatest
papers, playing at cribbage with a neighbour from the second floor,
while good Mrs. Hagan sate on the other side of the fire with a glass of
punch, and the Whole Duty of Man.

"Maria, your Maria once, cried a little when