al person would prefer such company
to the titled nobodies into whose family your brother has married."

"There you go, Polly; you are always having a shy at Lady Anne and her
relations," says Mr. Newcome, good-naturedly.

"A shy! How can you use such vulgar words, Mr. Newcome? What have I to
do with Sir Brian's titled relations? I do not value nobility. I prefer
people of science--people of intellect--to all the rank in the world."

"So you do," says Hobson her spouse. "You have your party--Lady Anne
has her party. You take your line--Lady Anne takes her line. You are a
superior woman, my dear Polly; every one knows that. I'm a plain country
farmer, I am. As long as you are happy, I am happy too. The people you
get to dine here may talk Greek or algebra for what I care. By Jove, my
dear, I think you can hold your own with the best of them."

"I have endeavoured by assiduity to make up for time lost, and an early
imperfect education," says Mrs. Newcome. "You married a poor country
lawyer's daughter. You did not seek a partner in the Peerage, Mr.
Newcome."

"No, no. Not such a confounded flat as that," cries Mr. Newcome,
surveying his plump partner behind her silver teapot, with eyes of
admiration.

"I had an imperfect education, but I knew its blessings, and have, I
trust, endeavoured to cultivate the humble talents which Heaven has
given me, Mr. Newcome."

"Humble, by Jove!" exclaims the husband. "No gammon of that sort, Polly.
You know well enough that you are a superior woman. I ain't a superior
man. I know that: one is enough in a family. I leave the reading to you,
my dear. Here comes my horses. I say, I wish you'd call on Lady Anne
to-day. Do go and see her, now that's a good girl. I know she is
flighty, and that; and Brian's back is up a little. But he ain't a bad
fellow; and I wish I could see you and his wife better friends."

On his way to the City, Mr. Newcome rode to look at the new house,
No. 120 Fitzroy Square, which his brother, the Colonel, had taken in
conjunction with that Indian friend of his, Mr. Binnie. Shrewd old cock,
Mr. Binnie. Has brought home a good bit of money from India. Is looking
out for safe investments. Has been introduced to Newcome Brothers. Mr.
Newcome thinks very well of the Colonel's friend.

The house is vast, but, it must be owned, melancholy. Not long since
it was a ladies' school, in an unprosperous condition. The scar left by
Madame Latour's brass plate may still be