tchful supervision of every
domestic arrangement, together with the proceeds of the sale of all the
useless trumpery by which he is at present surrounded, will do much;
but he must be seconded, madam, seconded and aided, not thwarted and
opposed. George can exchange into a regiment in India; the proper steps
have been already taken for that purpose."

"Have you been thoughtful enough, sir, in your general care of this
family, to engage a small house for us at Brighton?"

"I have seen one at Ramsgate, madam," replied he, dryly; "but the rent
is more than we ought to give."

"Are we so very poor as that, sir?" said she, sarcastically, laying
emphasis on the pronoun.

"Many excellent and worthy persons, madam, contrive to live respectably
on less."

"Is Miss Onslow to go out as a governess, doctor? I am afraid you have
forgotten her share in these transactions?"

"I have a letter from her in my pocket, madam, which would show that she
herself is not guilty of this forgetfulness, wherein she makes the very
proposition you allude to."

"And me? Have you no sphere of self-denial and duty have you no
degrading station, nor menial servitude, adapted to my habits?"

"I know of none, madam," said Grounsell, sternly. "Varnish will no
more make a picture than fine manners prove a substitute for skill or
industry."

"This is really too much, sir," said she, rising, her face now crimson
with anger; "and even if all you have said prove true, reverse of
fortune can bring no heavier infliction than the prospect of your
intimacy and obtrusive counsels."

"You may not need them, madam. In adversity," said Grounsell, with
a smile, "healthy stomachs get on very well without bitters." And so
saying, he bowed and left the room.

For a few moments Lady Hester sat overwhelmed by the tidings she had
just heard, and then, suddenly rising, she rang the bell for her maid.

"Send Miss Dalton to me, Celestine; say I wish to speak to her
immediately," said she. "This may be the last time we shall speak to
each other ere we invert our positions," muttered she to herself. And
in the working of her features might be read all the agony of the
reflection.

CHAPTER XXXIX. PRATOLINO.

How like the great world is every little section of it! How full of
all its passions and interests, its warring jealousies and its selfish
struggles! Within the Mazzarini Palace that night were at work every
emotion and sentiment which sway the wide com