houses as naturally as rats run from old ones, you were for my
laying out my last florin on a cottage, a cheap paltry cottage.

_Ul._ And why, aunt? Because I thought we should both most like what we
were most used to.

_Coun._ Most used to!

_Ul._ To be sure. Till a few years ago, when you went to live at Roland
castle, did'nt you keep such a snug little cot in Franconia, that you
might have packed it up and taken it with you?

_Coun._ My Franconia cottage! mercy on me!

_Ul._ Yes. Don't I still wish myself in that cot? I do, I do: for it's
all very well if a person have the misfortune to be born a fine
lady--but to be made one; to be taught to talk without thinking, stare
without looking, and be red without blushing! Lord, who'd go and waste
money at fairs and carnivals, when they might see curiosities in every
great house for nothing!

_Coun._ If you dare hint to baron Ravensburg--

_Ul._ Not I! I dare no more tell baron Ravensburg what you once were,
than I dare tell your rural relations what you now are: for if he knew
you were once Winifred Winbuttle, and they knew--Lord! Lord! if those I
so long lived with, if aunt Alice, and her son Christopher--dear
darling cousin Christopher!

_Countess_ (_who has been walking about in a rage_). Jade! Jezabel! how
often must I remind you, that I no longer acknowledge this Franconia
relationship? That I am, and have been, since last winter, of pure,
noble, Norman extraction, and widow of the great count Roland, madam,
who, struck with my charms, soon married me, madam, and being married,
soon died, madam.

_Ulrica._ Very, very soon. And you may well take it to heart; for, alas!
his estate went with his title--went to his nephew, young count Roland,
who, after an absence of many years, returned from his travels on that
most melancholy day. (_half crying._)

_Countess_ (_weeping._) He did; and grief, grief prevented my seeing
him; but you saw him Ulrica, and by what I heard of the tender
interview, if the count hadn't been suddenly called away again----Oh!
'tis a sweet estate? one third of it would be consolation for any loss.

_Ulrica._ There! You think I'm to exterminate the whole German nobility,
whilst I think there are even doubts about the young baron Ravensburg.
Again, from my window this morning, again I saw him in close
conversation with the sweet interesting Agnes--and if he love an humble
orphan, and I love the humble Christopher--Now, do, aunt, do let me