CHAPTER X.

On met tout en œuvre pour assortir les fortunes, on ne se met point en peine d'assortir les cœurs.

MASSILLON.

Our morals are corrupted and vitiated by our admiration of wealth.

CICERO.

WHILE this was carrying on, Mrs Black was announced, and presently entered, her blooming, good-humoured face, expressive of even more than usual satisfaction, which, after the ordinary greetings had been exchanged, she hastened to communicate. The sum and substance of Mrs Black's intelligence was this, that her daughter Lilly, having gone with the Major and Mrs Waddell to Harrowgate, had there made a conquest of a wealthy young London merchant, who had made his proposals, and that the whole party were now on their way down, and were to be at Bellevue the following day to dinner. Due congratula

tions, of course, ensued, but Gertrude was too much surprised at this sudden revolution in the fair Lilly's affections, to be able to express hers in proper form. Mrs Black, however, was so well satisfied herself, that she took it for granted, everybody else was the same; and she proceeded to enlarge upon the merits of this most excellent match, as she termed it. Mr Larkins was in good business, (it was an old established house, Larkins, Barlow, and Company,) of a most respectable family, and himself an uncommon clever, genteel, handsome young man; indeed, had it been otherwise, the Major and Bell never would have countenanced anything of the kind; she only wished (with a deep sigh) that some other folks were in the way of making as prudent and creditable a connection. This was evidently in allusion to her daughter Anne; and Miss Black mildly replied, that it was indeed agreeable when parents and children were agreed upon so important a point, but that it was not surprising they should often view it in very different lights. "Parents," said she, "complain, that children are apt to be led away by romantic notions, which can lead only to disappointment, while children

lament, that parents look only to wealth and worldly aggrandizement in their estimate of happiness, and I fear there is often but too much justice in the reproaches of both parties."

"I think it is the duty of all parents to prevent their children from marrying, only to become beggars," said Mrs Black.

"I think so too," answered her sister; "but I fear worldly-minded parents too often confound what they consider poverty with beggary."

"There is not much to draw between them, I think," said Mrs Black.

"Undoubtedly, beggary implies poverty, but what, by many, is called poverty, does not necessarily include beggary," replied Miss Black. "Wealth itself may, and often has proved insufficient to save the vain, the selfish, and the extravagant from beggary; but Christian principles, virtuous habits, and an independent mind, will ever preserve even the poor from becoming burdensome to others."

"It's very easy speaking," said Mrs Black, with some pique; "but everybody knows, that, in these times, it's not little that supports a family; what with taxes and servants' wages, and children's

schooling and outfit in the world-it's a very serious matter become."

"All these things are, or ought to be, proportioned to the means afforded," replied Miss Black. "If the poor will live like the rich, and educate their children in the same style, beggary, or, at least, its sister, dependance, must ensue; but if they would live according to what they have, and not according to what they think they ought to have, poverty would not be the hideous bugbear it is so often represented."

"In my opinion," said Mrs St Clair, who thought she had an interest in the question—“ in my opinion, poverty is the most intolerable evil in life, and has, I am convinced, the most demoralizing influence upon society."

"Poverty, like beauty, is, perhaps, not easily defined," said Miss Black; " and, I believe, the ideas people entertain on the subject are even more various than the discrepancy of taste that prevails as to personal charms; some would call it poverty, not to be able to keep two or three carriages, and a score of idle horses and servants."

"You know that's nonsense," said Mrs Black.

"That's an extreme case," said Mrs St Clair. "Then where is the boundary that separates wealth and poverty ?" asked Miss Black. "What is the precise meaning of a poor marriage ?”

Both ladies hesitated, but Mrs Black took the lead." I certainly would think any daughter of mine had made a poor hand of herself, who could not afford to go as well dressed, and give as good and full dinners, as she has been accustomed to in her father's house."

Mrs St Clair could not repress a smile in scorn at the vulgar simplicity of her sister-in-law's notions.

"But suppose," said Miss Black, " (as we cannot have everything,) that she is willing to wear a less costly gown, and have fewer dishes on her table than you, my dear sister, in your liberality, bestow upon your hospitable board; if, as an equivalent, she is rich in the virtuous principles, intellectual endowments, and rational affection of him she has chosen as the companion of her earthly pilgrimage ?"

"All that," said Mrs St Clair, "sounds very fine, my dear Elizabeth, and very logical to those who have not seen so much of the world as I have