ith other people--she was still ready enough,
and unsparing of her sarcasms. When the Dowager of Castlewood and Lady
Fanny visited her (these exalted ladies treated my wife with perfect
indifference and charming good breeding),--the Baroness, in their
society, was stately, easy, and even commanding. She would mischievously
caress Mrs. Warrington before them; in her absence, vaunt my wife's good
breeding; say that her nephew had made a foolish match, perhaps, but
that I certainly had taken a charming wife. "In a word, I praise you so
to them, my dear," says she, "that I think they would like to tear your
eyes out." But, before the little American, 'tis certain that she was
uneasy and trembled. She was so afraid, that she actually did not dare
to deny her door; and, the Countess's back turned, did not even abuse
her. However much they might dislike her, my ladies did not tear out
Theo's eyes. Once--they drove to our cottage at Lambeth, where my wife
happened to be sitting at the open window, holding her child on her
knee, and in full view of her visitors. A gigantic footman strutted
through our little garden, and delivered their ladyships' visiting
tickets at our door. Their hatred hurt us no more than their visit
pleased us. When next we had the loan of our friend the Brewer's
carriage Mrs. Warrington drove to Kensington, and Gumbo handed over to
the giant our cards in return for those which his noble mistresses had
bestowed on us.

The Baroness had a coach, but seldom thought of giving it to us: and
would let Theo and her maid and baby start from Clarges Street in the
rain, with a faint excuse that she was afraid to ask her coachman
to take his horses out. But, twice on her return home, my wife was
frightened by rude fellows on the other side of Westminster Bridge; and
I fairly told my aunt that I should forbid Mrs. Warrington to go to her,
unless she could be brought home in safety; so grumbling Jehu had to
drive his horses through the darkness. He grumbled at my shillings: he
did not know how few I had. Our poverty wore a pretty decent face. My
relatives never thought of relieving it, nor I of complaining before
them. I don't know how Sampson got a windfall of guineas; but, I
remember, he brought me six once; and they were more welcome than any
money I ever had in my life. He had been looking into Mr. Miles's crib,
as the child lay asleep; and, when the parson went away, I found the
money in the baby's little rosy han