an effect directly contrary to admiration. His good taste
seemed to revolt at her flippancy. Every time I see this young man he
rises in my esteem. His ingenuous temper and engaging modesty set off to
advantage a very fair understanding.

In our way home, we were accosted by Mr. Flam. After a rough but hearty
salutation, and a cordial invitation to come and dine with him, he
galloped off, being engaged on business. "This is an honest country
'squire of the old cut," said Mr. Stanley afterward; "he has a very good
estate which he has so much delight in managing, that he has no pleasure
in any thing else. He was prevailed on by his father to marry his
present wife for no other reason than because her estate joined to his,
and broke in a little on the _arrondissement_; but it was judged that
both being united, all might be brought within a ring fence. This was
thought a reason sufficiently powerful for the union of two immortal
beings, whose happiness here and hereafter might be impeded or promoted
by it! The felicity of the connection has been in exact proportion to
the purity of the motive."

I could not forbear interrupting Mr. Stanley, by observing that nothing
had surprised or hurt me more in the little observation I had made on
the subject of marriage than the frequent indifference of parents to the
moral, and especially to the religious character of the man who proposed
himself. "That family, fortune, and connections should have their full
share in the business, I readily admit," added I, "but that it should
ever form the chief, often the only ground of acceptance, has, I
confess, lowered mankind in my esteem more completely than almost any
other instance of ambition, avarice, or worldliness. That a very young
girl, who has not been carefully educated, should be captivated by
personal advantages, and even infatuated by splendor, is less surprising
than that parents, who having themselves experienced the insufficiency
of riches to happiness, that they should be eagerly impatient to part
from a beloved daughter, reared with fondness at least, if not with
wisdom, to a man of whose principles they have any doubt, and of whose
mind they have a mean opinion, is a thing I can not understand. And yet
what proposal almost is rejected on this ground?" Lucilla's eyes at
this moment shone with such expressive brightness that I exultingly said
to myself, "Lord Staunton! I defy thee!"

"The mischief of this lax principle is of