was business which called him
hither for a few weeks. I trust not, for I shall be unhappy here."

"May I ask why?"

"The people are rude--it is not agreeable to walk out."

"Recollect, my dear Susannah, that those of your sect are not so plentiful
in London as elsewhere, and if you wear a dress so different from other
people, you must expect that curiosity will be excited. You cannot blame
them--it is you who make yourself conspicuous, almost saying to the people
by your garment, 'Come, and look at me.' I have been reflecting upon what
Mr Masterton said to you at Reading, and I do not know whether he was not
right in calling it a garb of pride instead of a garb of humility."

"If I thought so, Japhet, even I would throw it off," replied Susannah.

"It certainly is not pleasant that every one should think that you walk
out on purpose to be stared at, yet such is the ill-natured construction
of the world, and they will never believe otherwise. It is possible, I
should think, to dress with equal simplicity and neatness, to avoid gay
colours, and yet to dress so as not to excite observation."

"I hardly know what to say, but that you all appear against me, and that
sometimes I feel that I am too presumptuous in thus judging for myself."

"I am not against you, Susannah; I know you will do what you think is
right, and I shall respect you for that, even if I disagree with you; but
I must say, that if my wife were to dress in such a way as to attract the
public gaze, I should feel too jealous to approve of it. I do not,
therefore, blame Mr Cophagus for inducing his pretty wife to make some
alteration in her attire, neither do I blame but I commend her for
obeying the wishes of her husband. Her beauty is his, and not common
property."

Susannah did not reply; she appeared very thoughtful.

"You disagree with me, Susannah," said I, after a pause; "I am sorry for
it."

"I cannot say that I do, Japhet; I have learned a lesson this day, and,
in future, I must think more humbly of myself, and be more ruled by the
opinions and judgment of others."

Mr and Mrs Cophagus then came in. Cophagus had resumed his medical coat
and waistcoat, but not his pantaloons or Hessians: his wife, who had a
very good taste in dress, would not allow him. She was in her grey silk
gown, but wore a large handsome shawl, which covered all but the skirts;
on her head she had a Leghorn bonnet, and certainly looked very pretty.
As usual, she was a