ve been the consequences had
Patty Steele been more willing, when he wished to make her Mrs. Peter
Johnson--an association by no means uncommon in the mind of the steward;
for if Patty had ever a rival in his affections, it was in the person of
Emily Moseley, though, indeed, with very different degrees and coloring of
esteem.

The excursions to the cottage had been continued by Mrs. Wilson and Emily,
and as no gentleman was now in the family to interfere with their
communications, a general visit to the young widow had been made by the
Moseleys, including Sir Edward and Mr. Ives.

The Jarvises had gone to London to receive their children, now penitent in
more senses than one; and Sir Edward learnt with pleasure that Egerton and
his wife had been admitted into the family of the merchant.

Sir Edgar had died suddenly, and the entailed estates had fallen to his
successor the colonel, now Sir Harry; but the bulk of his wealth, being in
convertible property, he had given by will to his other nephew, a young
clergyman, and a son of a younger brother. Mary, as well as her mother,
were greatly disappointed, by this deprivation, of what they considered
their lawful splendor; but they found great consolation in the new dignity
of Lady Egerton, whose greatest wish now was to meet the Moseleys, in
order that she might precede them in or out of some place where such
ceremonials are observed. The sound of "Lady Egerton's carriage stops the
way," was delightful, and it never failed to be used on all occasions,
although her ladyship was mistress of only a hired vehicle.

A slight insight into the situation of things amongst them may be found in
the following narrative of their views, as revealed in a discussion which
took place about a fortnight after the reunion of the family under one
roof.

Mrs. Jarvis was mistress of a very handsome coach, the gift of her husband
for her own private use. After having satisfied herself the baronet (a
dignity he had enjoyed just twenty-four hours) did not possess the ability
to furnish his lady, as she termed her daughter, with such a luxury, she
magnanimously determined to relinquish her own, in support of the
new-found elevation of her daughter. Accordingly, a consultation on the
alterations which were necessary took place between the ladies--"The arms
must be altered, of course," Lady Egerton observed, "and Sir Harry's, with
the bloody hand and six quarterings, put in their place; then the
li