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"Fool. Sirrah, thou hadst best take my coxcomb. Kent. Why, fool?

Fool. Why, for taking one's part that is out of favour."

M

SHAKESPEARE.

R. CRAWFORD had a study: every gentleman has, or ought to have; whither he was wont to withdraw, when "sated with home, of wife and children tired," and amuse himself his own way. It was a standing law that whenever he was there, he was engaged in business, and not to be disturbed: and so long had this been established, that there was not one of the family that was not ready to take an affidavit, that papa was transacting business, though one and all would have been grievously puzzled to describe of what particular kind. The difficulty was increased by the fact that no one could ever trace anything as having been done there: nevertheless, his inkstand was regularly replenished, and his pens and paper laid out in order; and doubtless he made as good use of them as many who make more show. He had his books

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besides long rows of "Annual Registers," and the "Gentleman's Magazine," and some respectable looking classics, and "Blair's Sermons," and "Smith's Wealth of Nations:" all very instructive, and very edifying, and sure not to come to any harm behind their glass doors, for they were carefully locked up, and nobody ever knew exactly where the key was. Furthermore, he rejoiced in a sumptuous arm-chair, which every one knows is a great friend to study: and a fire-place with a glowing fire in it, which is the very thing to keep a person awake: and in this chair, and by this fire was Mr. Crawford seated, when he was startled from his profound meditations by a tap at the door.

"Who on earth comes disturbing me just now when I am so busy?" exclaimed he, rubbing his eyes, and opening a sheet of blotting paper with marvellous agility-"what you, Mrs. Crawford? my dear, you

know-❞

"Yes, my love," said that bland lady, gliding in, and shutting the door after her: I know how precious your time is, no one better, but I must interrupt you for a few minutes: I will not keep you long: let me make up your fire: you really shall not sit here if you do not keep the room at a proper temperature."

"My dear," said Mr. Crawford, gravely, "I have other things to think of, besides my own comfort: and it is as well I do think for you all, or between you, I do not know where we should all go to."

"Very true, my dear," said his conciliatory lady, "with all these boys at home, we have both plenty to think of."

"And because you had not enough before, Mrs. C., you must ask rich young ladies (or rather not young-for she looks nearer forty than twenty,) to come and fill up your house with herself, and her companion, and her maid, and her man, and all for no good: there's no getting a word out of her: she's neither useful nor ornamental, that I can see."

"That remains to be proved," said Mrs. Crawford, significantly, "if you cannot get a word out of her, I know one who can.”

"Who, ma'am?”

"Never mind now, my dear."

"Never mind, ma'am ! but I do mind! you've some scheme in your head, I see, and I insist upon knowing what it is."

"Pshaw, my dear-scheme-I never scheme: you are talking too fast. I cannot help it if young people will take a fancy to each other: and I may see a little preference, without scheming to bring it about."

"And which of the boys is it?" asked Mr. Crawford, "for I know it must be one of them, or you would not look so contented. Which is it, my dear ?" "Have you any eyes, my dear ?"

"I hope so, ma'am, and tolerably sharp ones. I see more than you think, sometimes, my love."

“Then, my dear, I wonder you have so much diffi

culty in observing what goes on in your own house. To which of the boys does Miss Armadale talk most?"

"Let me see: if she talks at all, I think it is to Ferdinand."

"Who sits next her at dinner?"

"Why, faith, I think Ferdinand too."

"Who gives her his arm when they walk out-who is always on the watch to see if she wants anything, and never does anything for her without receiving a kind smile in return? Why Ferdinand to be sure— our gay, handsome Ferdinand: you may rely on my discernment, Mr. Crawford. I am never mistaken in these matters."

"I wish you may not be with all my heart," returned he, rubbing his hands, "her large fortune will give him a lift in the world, which is what I can't afford to do: and of course he will behave handsomely to his brothers in such a case."

"Of course, my dear, and meanwhile you will behave handsomely to him, as you always do: he sadly wants a little money just now: I must ask you for a cheque for him: you know ladies like Miss Armadale have no idea of expense, and expect bouquets and that sort of thing-"

"Oh! they do-do they? bouquets in December ! bouquets! and I am to write a cheque for twenty pounds for him to fling away in cabbage-stalks and daffidowndillies!"

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No, no, my dear-not to fling away: but just that he may appear like other people: I am so afraid if he gets disheartened, he will break it off, and that would be a hundred pities."

"A hundred thousand pities, you mean:-well, there's the cheque-that's the way the money goesalways for some nonsense or other. When is Theodosia going to be married?"

"That is another thing, my love," said Mrs. Crawford, folding up the cheque, "I wanted to talk to you about our dinner-party to-morrow. I am disappointed of Colonel Saxley, and I want you to ride over to Stuketon, and invite Sir Tudor Willoughby: he admires Theodosia very much, I am told."

"Sir Tudor is younger than she is: and not over wise, and very deaf," said her husband, drily. "As to that, my dear, if he is younger, he looks older and if he is a little silly, Theodosia has wit enough for both and if he is deaf, he is not blind: and he has a very comfortable income: so, my dear, as it is a very bright afternoon, pray take a ride, and ask him, just in your own friendly, hospitable way. Now I must go and look after the young people."

"What do you think, mamma?" was the first greeting Mrs. Crawford met with in the drawing-room, where Miss Theodosia was alone, "what do you think Margaret Armadale says? that she has sent to that odious Esther to come back to-morrow morning; so she will be obliged to dine with the company."

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