est India hurricane is a zephyr to it."

"Ah, God help the unhappy woman that's blistered for life with an
ignorant sot!--such a woman is to be pitied.--and such a woman am I;--I,
you good-for-nothing drunken booby, who made you what you are."

"O, fie! mamma," said Maria, "this is too bad to papa, who, you know,
seldom replies to you at all."

"Miss Lindsay, I shall suffer none of your impertinence," said her
mother; "leave the room, madam, this moment--how dare you? but I am not
surprised at it;--leave the room, I say."

The poor, amiable girl, who was all fearfulness and affection, quietly
left the room as she was desired, and her father, who saw that his
worthy wife was brimful of a coming squall, put on his hat, and after
having given one of his usual sardonic looks, left the apartment also.

"Mother," said her son Charles, "I must protest against the
unjustifiable violence of temper with which you treat my father. You
know he was only jesting in what he said to you this moment."

"Let him carry his jests else were, Mr. Charles," she replied, "he
shan't indulge in them at my expense; nor will I have you abet him in
them as you always do--yes, sir, and laugh at them in my face. All this,
however, is very natural; as the old cock crows the young one learns.
As for Maria, if she makes as dutiful a wife as she does a daughter, her
husband may thank God for getting his full share of evil in this life."

"I protest to heaven, Harry," said Charles, addressing his brother, "if
ever there was a meek, sweet-tempered girl living, Maria is. You do not
yet know her, but you will, of course, have an opportunity of judging
for yourself."

"You perceive, Harry," said his mother, addressing him in turn, "you
perceive how they are banded against me; in fact, they are joined with
their father in a conspiracy to destroy my peace and happiness. This is
the feeling that prevails against me in the house at large, for which I
may thank my husband and children--I don't include you, Harry. There
is not a servant in our establishment but could poison me, and probably
would, too, were it not for fear of the gallows."

Woodward listened to this strange scene with amazement, but was prudent
enough to take no part in it whatsoever. On the contrary, he got his hat
and proceeded out to take a stroll, as the evening was so fine, and the
aspect of the country was so delightful.

"Harry," said his brother, "if you're for a walk I'll go with