ar a few interesting facts in reference
to the objects of this Society?"

Miss Flouncer smiled and undulated in order to express her readiness to
listen; at the same time she glanced at Sir Richard, who, I observed,
was sound asleep. I also noticed that Mrs Bingley sniffed impatiently;
but I felt that I had a duty to perform, so with unalterable resolution
I prepared to continue my address, when Miss Peppy, who had been nearly
asleep during the greater part of the time I was speaking, suddenly said
to Miss Flouncer--

"Well, it _is_ a most surprising state of things that people _will_ go
to sea and get wrecked just to let societies like these spring up like
mushrooms all over the land. For my part, I think I would rather do
without the things that ships bring to us from foreign lands than always
hear of those dreadful wrecks, and--but really one cannot expect the
world to alter just to please one, so I suppose people must go on being
drowned and saved by rocket-boats and lifeboats; so we had better retire
to the drawing-room, my dear."

The last observation was addressed to Mrs Bingley, who responded to it
with a bow of assent as she drew on her gloves.

Immediately after, the ladies rose, and I was thus constrained to
postpone my narration of interesting facts, until another opportunity
should offer.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

MRS. GAFF ENDEAVOURS FRUITLESSLY TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF CASH,
PRINCIPAL, AND INTEREST.

At first, as I have said, poor Mrs Gaff was quite inconsolable at the
bereavements she had sustained in the loss of her husband and son and
brother. For a long time she refused to be comforted, or to allow her
spirit to be soothed by the visits, (the "angel visits" as she styled
them), of Lizzie Gordon, and the entrance of God's Word into her heart.

Much of the violence of the good woman's character was the result of
training and example on an impulsive and sanguine, yet kindly spirit.
She had loved Stephen and Billy with a true and ardent love, and she
could not forgive herself for what she styled her "cruelty to the dear
boy." Neither could she prevail on herself to enjoy or touch a single
penny of the money which ought, she said, to have been her husband's.

Night after night would Mrs Gaff sit down by the cottage fireside to
rest after her day of hard toll, and, making Tottie sit down on a stool
at her feet, would take her head into her lap, and stroke the hair and
the soft cheek gently