st in strange company, could feel herself at
home; and if Mrs Nickleby was not quite so felicitous at times in the
selection of topics of discourse, or if she did seem, as Mrs Browdie
expressed it, 'rather high in her notions,' still nothing could be
kinder, and that she took considerable interest in the young couple was
manifest from the very long lectures on housewifery with which she
was so obliging as to entertain Mrs Browdie's private ear, which
were illustrated by various references to the domestic economy of the
cottage, in which (those duties falling exclusively upon Kate) the good
lady had about as much share, either in theory or practice, as any one
of the statues of the Twelve Apostles which embellish the exterior of St
Paul's Cathedral.

'Mr Browdie,' said Kate, addressing his young wife, 'is the
best-humoured, the kindest and heartiest creature I ever saw. If I were
oppressed with I don't know how many cares, it would make me happy only
to look at him.'

'He does seem indeed, upon my word, a most excellent creature, Kate,'
said Mrs Nickleby; 'most excellent. And I am sure that at all times it
will give me pleasure--really pleasure now--to have you, Mrs Browdie,
to see me in this plain and homely manner. We make no display,' said Mrs
Nickleby, with an air which seemed to insinuate that they could make a
vast deal if they were so disposed; 'no fuss, no preparation; I wouldn't
allow it. I said, "Kate, my dear, you will only make Mrs Browdie feel
uncomfortable, and how very foolish and inconsiderate that would be!"'

'I am very much obliged to you, I am sure, ma'am,' returned Mrs Browdie,
gratefully. 'It's nearly eleven o'clock, John. I am afraid we are
keeping you up very late, ma'am.'

'Late!' cried Mrs Nickleby, with a sharp thin laugh, and one little
cough at the end, like a note of admiration expressed. 'This is quite
early for us. We used to keep such hours! Twelve, one, two, three
o'clock was nothing to us. Balls, dinners, card-parties! Never were such
rakes as the people about where we used to live. I often think now, I
am sure, that how we ever could go through with it is quite astonishing,
and that is just the evil of having a large connection and being a great
deal sought after, which I would recommend all young married people
steadily to resist; though of course, and it's perfectly clear, and a
very happy thing too, I think, that very few young married people can
be exposed to such temptations.