hown
submission, for Aunt Geoffrey, as he already felt, was not a person to
be argued with, but to be obeyed; and for very shame he could not have
indulged himself in his Philippics after the proof he had experienced of
their futility.

So, partly on principle, and partly from necessity, he ceased to
grumble, and from that time forth it was wonderful how much less
unpleasant even external things appeared, and how much his health
benefited by the tranquillity of spirits thus produced. He was willing
to be pleased with all that was done with that intent; and as he grew
better, it certainly was a strange variety with which he had to be
amused throughout the day. Very good naturedly he received all such
civilities, especially when Willy brought him a bottle of the first live
sticklebacks of the season, accompanied by a message from Arthur that he
hoped soon to send him a basin of tame tadpoles,--and when John rushed
up with a basket of blind young black satin puppies, their mother
following in a state of agitation only equalled by that of Mrs. Langford
and Judith.

Willy, a nice intelligent little fellow, grew very fond of him, and
spent much time with him, taking delight in his books and prints, beyond
what could have been thought possible in one of the Sutton Leigh party.

When he was strong enough to guide a pencil or pen, a very enjoyable
correspondence commenced between him and his mother, who was still
unable to leave her apartment; and hardly any one ever passed between
the two rooms without being the bearer of some playful greeting, or
droll descriptions of the present scene and occupation, chronicles of
the fashionable arrivals of the white clouds before the window, of
a bunch of violets, or a new book; the fashionable departure of the
headache, the fire, or a robin; notices that tom-tits were whetting
their saws on the next tree, or of the domestic proceedings of the rooks
who were building their house opposite to Mrs. Frederick Langford's
window, and whom she watched so much that she was said to be in a fair
way of solving the problem of how many sticks go to a crow's nest;
criticisms of the books read by each party, and very often a reference
to that celebrated billet, unfortunately delivered over night to Prince
Talleyrand, informing him that his devoted friend had scarcely closed
her eyes all night, and then only to dream of him!

Henrietta grew very happy. She had her brother again, as wholly hers
as in