nd for so mean a reason that I am ashamed to tell you."
Out of politeness I did not press to know; I needed not, for she was
resolved I should not 'burst in ignorance.'

She went on: "Do you know he pretends that times are hard, and public
difficulties increasing; and he declares that whatever privations we
endure, government must be supported: so he says it is right to draw in
in the only way in which he can do it honestly; I am sure it is not
doing it creditably. Did you ever hear any thing so shabby?"

"Shabby, madam," replied I; "I honor a gentleman who has integrity
enough to do a right thing, and good sense enough not to be ashamed to
own it."

"Yes, but papa need not. The steward declares, if he would only raise
his tenants a very little, he would have more than enough; but papa is
inflexible. He says my brother must do as he pleases when he comes to
the estate, but that he himself promised when he came into possession,
that he would never raise the rents, and that he will never be worse
than his word." As I could not find in my heart to join in abusing a
gentleman for resolving never to be worse than his word, I was silent.

She then inquired with more seriousness, if there were any prospect of
peace. I was better pleased with this question, as it implied more
anxiety for the lives of her fellow-creatures, than I had given her
credit for. "I am anxiously looking into all the papers," continued she,
without giving me time to speak, "because as soon as there is peace,
papa has promised that we shall go to town again. If it was not for that
I should not care if there was war till doomsday, for what with marching
regiments, and militia, and volunteers, nothing can be pleasanter than
it makes the country, I mean as far as the country _can_ be pleasant."
They then ran over the names and respective merits of every opera
singer, every dancer, and every actor, with incredible volubility; and I
believe they were not a little shocked at my slender acquaintance with
the nomenclature, and the little interest I took in the criticisms they
built upon it.

Poor Lady Aston looked oppressed and fatigued, but inwardly rejoiced, as
she afterward owned to me, that her daughters were not within hearing. I
was of a different opinion, upon the Spartan principle, of making their
children sober, by the spectacle of the intoxicated Helots. Miss Bell's
eloquence seemed to make but little impression on Sir George; or rather
it produced