icult to advise in these times; but,
if anxious to dispose of your daughters, why not send them out to
India?"

"We have thought of it several times; for Mr Revel has an uncle there
unmarried, and they say very rich. He is a colonel in the Bombay
marine, I believe."

"More probably in the Bengal army, ma'am."

"Well, I believe you are right; but I know it's in the Company's
service. But the old gentleman hates my husband, and will not have any
thing to say to him. I did write a very civil letter to him, in which I
just hinted how glad one or two of my daughters would be to take care of
his house; but he never condescended to give me an answer. I am told
that he is a very unpleasant man."

"A difficult thing to advise, ma'am, very difficult indeed! but I can
tell you a circumstance which occurred about five years ago, when a
similar application to a relative in India was made by a friend of mine.
It was no more attended to than yours has been. Nevertheless, as it
was supposed the answer had miscarried, the young lady was sent out to
her relative with a decent equipment, and a letter of introduction. Her
relation was very much surprised: but what could he do? he could not
permit the young lady to remain without a roof over her head; so he
received her; and as he did not like to say how he had been treated, he
held his tongue. The young lady in the course of three months, made a
very good match; and is, to my knowledge, constantly sending home India
shawls and other handsome presents to her mother."

"Indeed, Mr Heaviside, then do you advise--"

"It is difficult, extremely difficult to advise upon so nice a point. I
only state the fact, my dear madam: I should think the colonel must feel
the want of female society; but, God bless me! it's nearly two
o'clock.--Good morning, my dear Mrs Revel--good morning."

"Good morning, my dear Mr Heaviside; it's very kind of you to call in
this sociable way, and chat an hour or two.--Good morning."

The result of the above conversation was a consultation between Mr
Revel and his wife upon their first meeting. Mr Revel was delighted
with the plan, not so much caring at the disposal of his daughters as he
was pleased with the idea of annoying his uncle, from whom he, at one
time, had had great expectations: but, as it was necessary to be
circumspect, especially with Isabel, Mr Revel took the opportunity of a
subsequent visit to state that he had received a letter from hi