HE season is in full swing; the Hungerfords, Longleats, Ullathornes, a perfect colony of our fine relations congregate at one end of the

town, while we paupers grub on in the blessed content that must surely have some

thing low in it at the other.

Unobserved, I sometimes stand in a rare

VOL. II.

7

fit of idleness at the railings in the Park with the other canaille, and hear opinions expressed with a rich flavour and a truth that they can't expect to hear in aristocratic circles, passed in turn on my three sisters, as on their hacks in the morning, or carriages in the afternoon, they pass in review before this most critical section of the British public.

I gather from these enlightened individuals that Bell is a fine figure of a woman, though in her case that solidity of proportion which usually stands sponsor for steadiness of morals is not to be trusted, as other cavaliers than Sir Peter are usually to be seen at her bridle-rein. On Cynthia much the same judgment is passed, while Hetty is pronounced very pretty, but "bored-like and m'appen she'd look more lively if she'd got somebody else's husband alongside of her."

But I also enjoy the honour of seeing my

sisters-especially Hetty-in their own houses occasionally. It was with some doubt, and not a little of condescension that the latter, as on one of her rare visits home she came fluttering one day into my den, invited me to dinner, being most particular to impress upon me that I need not be in the least uneasy or afraid, as half the people I should meet were very stupid indeed, and if I only held my tongue I should pass muster with anybody.

"My poor girl," I said, her being grown so very fine a lady in these few short weeks, relieving me of any fear of giving her pain, "I never was one of those people who feel big in a small house, and crushed in a great one, and I am glad to find that you are so equal to your changed estate. If I should come I promise to observe your deportment narrowly, and to be guided by it, while as to such trifling breaches of good breeding as eating with my

knife, or making a quotation that nobody understands, why you know I am never guilty of such."

"You are very unkind," says Hetty, with tears in her eyes. "You know I did not mean that I was ashamed of you, and no one ever scolds me like this, not even Ullathorne."

"I suppose not," I say drily, "and prosperity, and having everything your own way, is bad for you, Miss Hetty. I don't know any worse training for a young woman who wants keeping in order than to get married—unless she marries her master; and though I think you've done that, and yet a woman of fashion has fifty ways of eluding her husband's eye, and I've even known the mere possession of a fine establishment to develop a silly pride and vain glory in weak minds."

"I won't bear it," cries Hetty, starting up, her flushed face the only bit of colour about

her, she being in white as usual, as I think all women should be so long as they are handsome

"Then be true to your better self," I say, sternly; "is it by fine lady airs such as these that you think to win and keep Ullathorne, whose heart is of gold?"

"To win him?" she says, her colour paling; "and have I not won him-why else did he marry me?"

"Hetty," I say, drawing her towards me, "have you ever thought of how you must try and live up to Ullathorne, not expect him to live down to you?"

"We are quite happy together," she says, turning her head aside; "we never disagree. No two people could get on better. What more can you-does he-want ?"

"Has he never told you, Hetty?" I say, sadly.