CHAPTER XXVII.

Though Mr. Stanley had checked my impetuosity in my application to him,
and did not encourage my addresses with a promptitude suited to the
ardor of my affection: yet as the warmth of my attachment,
notwithstanding I made it a duty to restrain its outward expression,
could not escape either his penetration or that of his admirable wife,
they began a little to relax in the strictness with which they had
avoided speaking of their daughter. They never indeed introduced the
subject themselves, yet it some how or other never failed to find its
way into all conversation in which I was one of the interlocutors.

Sitting one day in Lucilla's bower with Mrs. Stanley, and speaking,
though in general terms, on the subject nearest my heart, with a
tenderness and admiration as sincere as it was fervent, I dwelt
particularly on some instances which I had recently heard from Edwards,
of her tender attention to the sick poor, and her zeal in often visiting
them, without regard to weather, or the accommodation of a carriage.

"I assure you," said Mrs. Stanley, "you over-rate her. Lucilla is no
prodigy dropped down from the clouds. Ten thousand other young women,
with natural good sense, and good temper, might, with the same
education, the same neglect of what is useless, and the same attention
to what is necessary, acquire the same habits and the same principles.
Her being no prodigy, however, perhaps makes her example, as far as it
goes, more important. She may be more useful, because she carries not
that discouraging superiority, which others might be deterred from
imitating, through hopelessness to reach. If she is not a miracle whom
others might despair to emulate, she is a Christian whom every girl of a
fair understanding and good temper may equal, and whom, I hope and
believe, many girls excel."

I asked Mrs. Stanley's permission to attend the young ladies in one of
their benevolent rounds. "When I have leisure to be one of the party,"
replied she, smiling, "you shall accompany us. I am afraid to trust your
warm feelings. Your good-nature would perhaps lead you to commend as a
merit, what in fact deserves no praise at all, the duly being so
obvious, and so indispensable. I have often heard it regretted that
ladies have no stated employment, no profession. It is a mistake.
_Charity is the calling of a lady; the care of the poor is her
profession._ Men have little time or taste for details. Women of fortune
h