sing a
smile.

"I affected not to hear, hoping he would not expose himself before the
servants by a repetition of the request. But he went on, 'Will your
Ladyship' I assure you he said that 'will your Ladyship do me the honor
to drink wine with me?' I merely stared at him, but never took any
notice of his speech. Would you believe it? he returned to the charge
again, and with his hand on his wine-glass, began, 'I have taken
the liberty' I could n't hear more; so I turned to George, and said,
'George, will you tell that man not to do that?'"

Sir Stafford could not restrain himself any longer, but broke out into
a burst of hearty laughter. "Poor Prichard," said he, at last, "I almost
think I see him before me!"

"You never think of saying, 'Poor Hester, these are not the associates
you have been accustomed to live with!' But I could be indifferent
to all these if my own family treated me with proper deference. As
for Sydney and George, however, they have actually coventried me; and
although I anticipated many sacrifices when I married, this I certainly
never speculated upon. Lady Wallingcroft, indeed, warned me to a certain
extent of what I should meet with; but I fondly hoped that disparity
of years and certain differences, the fruits of early prejudices and
habits, would be the only drawbacks on my happiness; but I have lived to
see my error!"

"The event has, indeed, not fulfilled what was expected from it," said
Sir Stafford, with a slow and deliberate emphasis on each word.

"Oh, I comprehend you perfectly," said she, coloring slightly, and for
the first time displaying any trait of animation in her features. "You
have been as much disappointed as I have. Just what my aunt Wallingcroft
prophesied. 'Remember,' said she, and I 'm sure I have had good cause
to remember it, 'their ideas are not our ideas; they have not the same
hopes, ambitions, or objects that we have; their very morality is not
our morality!'"

"Of what people or nation was her Ladyship speaking?" asked Sir
Stafford, mildly.

"Of the City, generally," replied Lady Hester, proudly.

"Not in ignorance, either," rejoined Sir Stafford; "her own father was a
merchant in Lombard Street."

"But the family are of the best blood in Lancashire, Sir Stafford."

"It may be so; but I remember Walter Crofts himself boasting that he
had danced to warm his feet on the very steps of the door in Grosvenor
Square which afterwards acknowledged him as the mas