hensive not to allow that sentiment has a place in this life,
but keeping it in its proper place, by that mixture of affability and
indifference with which some high-born beauty allows the genius, but
checks the presumption, of a charming and penniless poet. For a few
minutes her eyes roved over the scene in evident enjoyment; then, as
they slowly settled upon the three gables of Abbots' House, her face
regained that something of hardness which belonged to its decided
character; her fingers again mechanically resumed her knitting, and she
said, in her clear, unsoftened, metallic chime of voice, "Can you guess
why I took so much trouble to oblige Mr. Vigors and locate Mrs. Ashleigh
yonder?"

"You favoured us with a full explanation of your reasons."

"Some of my reasons; not the main one. People who undertake the task
of governing others, as I do, be their rule a kingdom or a hamlet, must
adopt a principle of government and adhere to it. The principle that
suits best with the Hill is Respect for the Proprieties. We have not
much money; entre nous, we have no great rank. Our policy is, then, to
set up the Proprieties as an influence which money must court and rank
is afraid of. I had learned just before Mr. Vigors called on me that
Lady Sarah Bellasis entertained the idea of hiring Abbots' House.
London has set its face against her; a provincial town would be more
charitable. An earl's daughter, with a good income and an awfully bad
name, of the best manners and of the worst morals, would have made sad
havoc among the Proprieties. How many of our primmest old maids would
have deserted tea and Mrs. Poyntz for champagne and her ladyship! The
Hill was never in so imminenta danger. Rather than Lady Sarah Bellasis
should have had that house, I would have taken it myself, and stocked it
with owls.

"Mrs. Ashleigh turned up just in the critical moment. Lady Sarah is
foiled, the Proprieties safe, and so that question is settled."

"And it will be pleasant to have your early friend so near you."

Mrs. Poyntz lifted her eyes full upon me.

"Do you know Mrs. Ashleigh?"

"Not in the least."

"She has many virtues and few ideas. She is commonplace weak, as I
am commonplace strong. But commonplace weak can be very lovable. Her
husband, a man of genius and learning, gave her his whole heart,--a
heart worth having; but he was not ambitious, and he despised the
world."

"I think you said your daughter was very much attached to