6

6

6

Duchess never told me a syllable of the matter, and 'I believe her Grace would keep nothing a secret from me. This you may depend on as fact, that the next

morning my Lord Duke cried out three times to his ' valet de chambre, "Jernigan, Jernigan, Jernigan, bring me my garters.'

4.66

But previously I should have mentioned the very impolite behaviour of Mr. Burchell, who during this discourse, sate with his face turned to the fire, and at the conclusion of every sentence would cry out fudge, an expression which displeased us all, and in some measure damped the rising spirit of the conversation.

Besides, my dear Skeggs,' continued our Peeress, there is nothing of this in the copy of verses that 'Dr. Burdock made upon the occasion.' Fudge!

'I am surprized at that,' cried Miss Skeggs; for he * seldom leaves any thing out, as he writes only for his own amusement. But can your Ladyship favour me with a sight of them?' Fudge!

<

'My dear creature,' replied our Peeress, do you think I carry such things about me? Though they are very 'fine to be sure, and I think myself something of a judge; 'at least I know what pleases myself. Indeed I was ever an admirer of all Doctor Burdock's little pieces; 'for except what he does, and our dear Countess at 'Hanover-Square, there's nothing comes out but the most lowest stuff in nature; not a bit of high life among them.' Fudge!

6

"Your Ladyship should except,' says t'other, 'your own things in the Lady's Magazine. I hope you'll say there's nothing low-lived there? But I suppose we are to have no more from that quarter?'

Fudge! 'Why, my dear,' says the Lady, 'you know my reader and companion has left me, to be married to Captain Roach, and as my poor eyes won't suffer me to write

'myself, I have been for some time looking out for 'another. A proper person is no easy matter to find, ' and to be sure thirty pounds a year is a small stipend 'for a well-bred girl of character, that can read, write, and behave in company; as for the chits about town, there is no bearing them about one.' Fudge!

'That I know,' cried Miss Skeggs, 'by experience. For of the three companions I had this last half year, ' one of them refused to do plain-work an hour in the day, ' another thought twenty-five guineas a year too small 'a salary, and I was obliged to send away the third, 'because I suspected an intrigue with the chaplain. 'Virtue, my dear Lady Blarney, virtue is worth any 'price; but where is that to be found?' Fudge!

My wife had been for a long time all attention to this discourse; but was particularly struck with the latter part of it. Thirty pounds and twenty-five guineas a year made fifty-six pounds five shillings English money, all which was in a manner going a-begging, and might easily be secured in the family. She for a moment studied my looks for approbation; and, to own a truth, I was of opinion, that two such places would fit our two daughters exactly. Besides, if the 'Squire had any real affection for my eldest daughter, this would be the way to make her every way qualified for her fortune. My wife therefore was resolved that we should not be deprived of such advantages for want of assurance, and undertook to harangue for the family. 'I hope,' cried she, 'your 'Ladyships will pardon my present presumption. It is true, we have no right to pretend to such favours; but ' yet it is natural for me to wish putting my children 'forward in the world. And I will be bold to say my 'two girls have had a pretty good education, and capa'city, at least the country can't shew better. They can 'read, write, and cast accompts; they understand their

6

'needle, breadstitch, cross and change, and all manner of plain-work; they can pink, point, and frill; and 'know something of music; they can do up small clothes, work upon catgut; my eldest can cut paper, ' and my youngest has a very pretty manner of telling 'fortunes upon the cards.' Fudge!

When she had delivered this pretty piece of eloquence, the two ladies looked at each other a few minutes in silence, with an air of doubt and importance. At last, Miss Carolina Wilhelmina Amelia Skeggs condescended to observe, that the young ladies, from the opinion she could form of them from so slight an acquaintance, seemed very fit for such employments: 'But a thing of this kind, Madam,' cried she, addressing my spouse, requires a thorough examination into characters, and a more perfect knowledge of each other. Not, madam,' continued she, that I in the least suspect the young 'ladies' virtue, prudence, and discretion; but there is 'a form in these things, Madam, there is a form.'

'

My wife approved her suspicions very much, observing, that she was very apt to be suspicious herself; but referred her to all the neighbours for a character: but this our Peeress declined as unnecessary, alleging that her cousin Thornhill's recommendation would be sufficient, and upon this we rested our petition.

By this time I began to have a most hearty contempt for the poor animal myself, and was almost ashamed at the approach of every customer.-PAGE 264.

CHAPTER XII

WHEN

HEN we were returned home, the night was dedicated to schemes of future conquest. Deborah exerted much sagacity in conjecturing which of the two girls was likely to have the best place, and most opportunities of seeing good company. The only obstacle to our preferment was in obtaining the 'Squire's recommendation; but he had already shewn us too many

6

6

instances of his friendship to doubt of it now. Even in bed my wife kept up the usual theme: Well, faith, my ' dear Charles, between ourselves, I think we have made 'an excellent day's work of it.'- Pretty well,' cried I, not knowing what to say. What, only pretty 'well!' returned she. I think it is very well. Suppose 'the girls should come to make acquaintances of taste ' in town! This I am assured of, that London is the 'only place in the world for all manner of husbands. Besides, my dear, stranger things happen every day : and as ladies of quality are so taken with my daughters, 'what will not men of quality be! Entre nous, I protest I like my Lady Blarney vastly, so very obliging. However, Miss Carolina Wilhelmina Amelia Skeggs has my warm heart. But yet, when they came to talk of places

6

6

6

6

' in town, you saw at once how I nailed them. Tell me, my dear, don't you think I did for my children there? Ay,' returned I, not knowing well what to think of the matter, 'Heaven grant they may be both the 'better for it this day three months!' This was one of those observations I usually made to impress my wife with an opinion of my sagacity: for if the girls succeeded, then it was a pious wish fulfilled; but if any thing unfortunate ensued, then it might be looked upon as a prophecy. All this conversation, however, was only preparatory to another scheme, and indeed I dreaded as much. This was nothing less than, that as we were now to hold up our heads a little higher in the world, it would be proper to sell the Colt, which was grown old, at a neighbouring fair, and buy us a horse that would carry single or double upon an occasion, and make a pretty appearance at church or upon a visit. This at first I opposed stoutly; but it was as stoutly defended. However, as I weakened, my antagonists gained strength, till at last it was resolved to part with him.