I loved him with a true
maternal tenderness. Then he was happy to come to our house: then
perhaps Park Lane was not so often open to him as Bryanstone Square: but
I make no allusions. Then he did not go six times to another house for
once that he came to mine. He was a simple, confiding, generous boy, was
not dazzled by worldly rank or titles of splendour. He could not find
these in Bryanstone Square. A merchant's wife, a country lawyer's
daughter--I could not be expected to have my humble board surrounded
by titled aristocracy; I would not if I could. I love my own family
too well; I am too honest, too simple,--let me own it at once, Colonel
Newcome, too proud! And now, now his father has come to England, and I
have resigned him, and he meets with no titled aristocrats at my house,
and he does not come here any more."

Tears rolled out of her little eyes as she spoke, and she covered her
round face with her pocket-handkerchief.

Had Colonel Newcome read the paper that morning, he might have seen
amongst what are called the fashionable announcements, the cause,
perhaps, why his sister-in-law had exhibited so much anger and virtue.
The Morning Post stated, that yesterday Sir Brian and Lady Newcome
entertained at dinner His Excellency the Persian Ambassador and
Bucksheesh Bey; the Right Honourable Cannon Rowe, President of the Board
of Control, and Lady Louisa Rowe; the Earl of H------, the Countess
of Kew, the Earl of Kew, Sir Currey Baughton, Major-General and Mrs.
Hooker, Colonel Newcome, and Mr. Horace Fogey. Afterwards her ladyship
had an assembly, which was attended by, etc. etc.

This catalogue of illustrious names had been read by Mr. Newcome to
her spouse at breakfast, with such comments as she was in the habit of
making.

"The President of the Board of Control, the Chairman of the Court of
Directors, and Ex-Governor-General of India, and a whole regiment
of Kews. By Jove, Maria, the Colonel is in good company," cries Mr.
Newcome, with a laugh. "That's the sort of dinner you should have given
him. Some people to talk about India. When he dined with us he was put
between old Lady Wormely and Professor Roots. I don't wonder at his
going to sleep after dinner. I was off myself once or twice during that
confounded long argument between Professor Roots and Dr. Windus. That
Windus is the deuce to talk."

"Dr. Windus is a man of science, and his name is of European celebrity!"
says Maria solemnly. "Any intellectu