retty tyrant, you'll make me regret my choice in good earnest, and envy
my friend Hattersley his meek little wife: she's quite a pattern to her
sex, Helen. He had her with him in London all the season, and she was no
trouble at all. He might amuse himself just as he pleased, in regular
bachelor style, and she never complained of neglect; he might come home
at any hour of the night or morning, or not come home at all; be sullen,
sober, or glorious drunk; and play the fool or the madman to his own
heart's desire, without any fear or botheration. She never gives him a
word of reproach or complaint, do what he will. He says there's not such
a jewel in all England, and swears he wouldn't take a kingdom for her.'

'But he makes her life a curse to her.'

'Not he! She has no will but his, and is always contented and happy as
long as he is enjoying himself.'

'In that case she is as great a fool as he is; but it is not so. I have
several letters from her, expressing the greatest anxiety about his
proceedings, and complaining that you incite him to commit those
extravagances--one especially, in which she implores me to use my
influence with you to get you away from London, and affirms that her
husband never did such things before you came, and would certainly
discontinue them as soon as you departed and left him to the guidance of
his own good sense.'

'The detestable little traitor! Give me the letter, and he shall see it
as sure as I'm a living man.'

'No, he shall not see it without her consent; but if he did, there is
nothing there to anger him, nor in any of the others. She never speaks a
word against him: it is only anxiety for him that she expresses. She
only alludes to his conduct in the most delicate terms, and makes every
excuse for him that she can possibly think of; and as for her own misery,
I rather feel it than see it expressed in her letters.'

'But she abuses me; and no doubt you helped her.'

'No; I told her she over-rated my influence with you, that I would gladly
draw you away from the temptations of the town if I could, but had little
hope of success, and that I thought she was wrong in supposing that you
enticed Mr. Hattersley or any one else into error. I had myself held the
contrary opinion at one time, but I now believed that you mutually
corrupted each other; and, perhaps, if she used a little gentle but
serious remonstrance with her husband, it might be of some service; as,
though he w