and, after a short, impatient sigh, resumed the scissors and the
story-book. I do not apologise to the reader for the various letters I
am obliged to lay before him; for character often betrays itself more
in letters than in speech. Mr. Roger Morton's reply was couched in these
terms,--

"DEAR CATHERINE, I have received your letter of the 14th inst., and
write per return. I am very much grieved to hear of your afflictions;
but, whatever you say, I cannot think the late Mr. Beaufort acted like
a conscientious man, in forgetting to make his will, and leaving his
little ones destitute. It is all very well to talk of his intentions;
but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. And it is hard upon
me, who have a large family of my own, and get my livelihood by honest
industry, to have a rich gentleman's children to maintain. As for your
story about the private marriage, it may or not be. Perhaps you were
taken in by that worthless man, for a real marriage it could not be.
And, as you say, the law has decided that point; therefore, the less you
say on the matter the better. It all comes to the same thing. People are
not bound to believe what can't be proved. And even if what you say is
true, you are more to be blamed than pitied for holding your tongue so
many years, and discrediting an honest family, as ours has always been
considered. I am sure my wife would not have thought of such a thing for
the finest gentleman that ever wore shoe-leather. However, I don't want
to hurt your feelings; and I am sure I am ready to do whatever is right
and proper. You cannot expect that I should ask you to my house. My
wife, you know, is a very religious woman--what is called evangelical;
but that's neither here nor there: I deal with all people, churchmen and
dissenters--even Jews,--and don't trouble my head much about differences
in opinion. I dare say there are many ways to heaven; as I said, the
other day, to Mr. Thwaites, our member. But it is right to say my wife
will not hear of your coming here; and, indeed, it might do harm to
my business, for there are several elderly single gentlewomen, who buy
flannel for the poor at my shop, and they are very particular; as they
ought to be, indeed: for morals are very strict in this county,
and particularly in this town, where we certainly do pay very high
church-rates. Not that I grumble; for, though I am as liberal as any
man, I am for an established church; as I ought to be, since the dean