another fit of the gout, and when he was confined to his
room, he desired this girl to be sent for to attend upon him. I cannot
say what took place, but this is certain, that my father's
unfortunate passion became so great, and I presume the girl's ambition
rose in proportion, that about six months afterwards, this daughter of
a menial was raised to the dignity of Lady Musgrave--she being at that
time about eighteen, and my father verging on seventy.

"When this ill-assorted and disgraceful connection was known, the
gentry and aristocracy of the county refused any longer to visit my
father, and all communication was broken off. In a short time the
ascendency which this artful girl gained over the old man was most
wonderful. He lived but in her sight, and knew no will but hers. Her
father and family were removed to a good house in the neighbourhood,
and gave themselves all the airs of gentlepeople. The good old steward
was dismissed, and her father established in his room, although the
man could not read or write, and was wholly unfit for the office. The
expense which she launched out into, by his permission, was excessive.
New liveries, new coaches, diamonds, and dresses fit for the
court--indeed, every kind of luxury that could be conceived, and much
greater than my father could afford. She now showed herself in her
true colours; vindictive and tyrannical to excess, she dismissed all
the old servants, and oppressed all those to whom she owed a grudge;
yet my poor father could see nothing but perfection in her. It was not
till four months after the marriage that Philip and I came home, and
our new step-mother had not forgotten our treatment of her. She
treated us with great harshness, refused our taking meals at my
father's table, and ordered us the coarsest fare; and when we
complained to my father, denied every thing that we said. As we found
that we could not induce our father to listen to us or to believe us,
we tried all we could, and retaliated and annoyed her as much, if not
more, than she annoyed us, by talking of her mean origin and her
former occupation; we defied her, and, in so doing, we ruined
ourselves; for, after a useless struggle on my father's part, he gave
way to her imperious commands, and sending for me, told me that I had
become such a reprobate that I was no longer a son of his. He threw me
a purse, telling me that it was all I might expect from him, and that
I was instantly to leave the house, an