ful features, but wanting "the damask on the
cheek," the true value of which the fair sex so well appreciate, that,
if not indebted for it to nature, they are too apt to resort to art for
an unworthy imitation.

The first-mentioned of these two personages was busy examining, through
his spectacles, some papers which lay on the table before him--
occasionally diverted from his task by the pertinacity of some flies,
which seemed to have taken a particular fancy to his bald forehead and
scalp, which, in spite of his constant brushing off, they thought proper
to consider as a pleasant and smooth sort of coursing-plain, placed
there (probably in their ideas) solely for their amusement. Part of a
decanter of wine, and the remains of a dessert, crowded the small table
at which he sat, and added to the general air of confinement which
pervaded the whole.

"It's very hot, my dear. Open the window, and let us have a little
air."

"Oh, father," replied the young woman, who rose to throw up the sash,
"you don't know how I pine for fresh air. How long do you intend to
continue this life of constant toil and privation?"

"How long, my dear? Why, I presume you do not wish to starve--you would
not be very well pleased if, when you applied for money, as you do,
every week _at least_, I were to tell you that the bag was empty."

"Oh, nonsense--I know better, father; don't think so poorly of me as to
attempt to deceive me in that way."

"And pray, Miss Susan, what do you know?" said the old gentleman,
looking up at her through his spectacles, as she stood by the side of
his chair.

"I know what you have taught me, sir. Do you recollect explaining to me
the nature of the funds--what was the meaning of the national debt--all
the varieties of stock, and what interest they all bore?"

"Well, and what then?"

"Why, then, father, I have often seen the amounts of the dividends which
you have received every half-year, and have heard your orders to Wilmott
to re-invest in the funds. Now, your last half-year's dividend in the
Three per Cents was--let me see--oh--841 pounds, 14 shillings, 6 pence,
which, you know, doubled, makes itself an income of--"

"And pray, Miss Susan, what business have you with all this?" retorted
her father, half pleased, half angry.

"Why, father, you taught me yourself; and thought me very stupid because
I did not comprehend it as soon as you expected," answered Susan,
leaning over and kissing him; "an