\"Aprettysystem，\"saidI，\"whichextinguishesloveofcountryandofeverythingnoble，andbringsthemindsofitsministerstoaparitywiththoseofdevils，whodelightinnothingbutmischief。\"
\"Thesystem，\"saidthemaninblack，\"isagrandone，withunboundedvitality。CompareitwithyourProtestantism，andyouwillseethedifference。Poperyiseveratwork，whilstProtestantismissupine。Aprettychurch，indeed，theProtestant！Why，itcan’tevenworkamiracle。\"
\"Canyourchurchworkmiracles？\"Idemanded。
\"Thatwastheveryquestion，\"saidthemaninblack，\"whichtheancientBritishclergyaskedofAustinMonk，aftertheyhadbeenfoolsenoughtoacknowledgetheirowninability。
’Wedon’tpretendtoworkmiracles；doyou？’’Oh！dearme，yes，’saidAustin；’wefindnodifficultyinthematter。Wecanraisethedead，wecanmaketheblindsee；andtoconvinceyou，Iwillgivesighttotheblind。HereisthisblindSaxon，whomyoucannotcure，butonwhoseeyesIwillmanifestmypower，inordertoshowthedifferencebetweenthetrueandthefalsechurch；’andforthwith，withtheassistanceofahandkerchiefandalittlehotwater，heopenedtheeyesofthebarbarian。Sowemanagematters！A
prettychurch，thatoldBritishchurch，whichcouldnotworkmiracles—quiteashelplessasthemodernone。Thefools！
wasbirdlimesoscarceathingamongstthem？—andwerethepropertiesofwarmwatersounknowntothem，thattheycouldnotcloseapairofeyesandopenthem？\"
\"It’sapity，\"saidI，\"thattheBritishclergyatthatinterviewwithAustin，didnotbringforwardablindWelshman，andaskthemonktooperateuponhim。\"
\"Clearly，\"saidthemaninblack；\"that’swhattheyoughttohavedone；buttheywerefoolswithoutasingleresource。\"
Herehetookasipathisglass。
\"Buttheydidnotbelieveinthemiracle？\"saidI。
\"Andwhatdidtheirnotbelievingavailthem？\"saidthemaninblack。\"Austinremainedmasterofthefield，andtheywentawayholdingtheirheadsdown，andmutteringtothemselves。WhatafinesubjectforapaintingwouldbeAustin’sopeningtheeyesoftheSaxonbarbarian，andthediscomfitureoftheBritishclergy！Iwonderithasnotbeenpainted！—he！he！\"
\"Isupposeyourchurchstillperformsmiraclesoccasionally！\"
saidI。
\"Itdoes，\"saidthemaninblack。\"TheRev。—haslatelybeenperformingmiraclesinIreland，destroyingdevilsthathadgotpossessionofpeople；hehasbeeneminentlysuccessful。Intwoinstanceshenotonlydestroyedthedevils，butthelivesofthepeoplepossessed—he！he！Oh！
thereissomuchenergyinoursystem；wearealwaysatwork，whilstProtestantismissupine。\"
\"Youmustnotimagine，\"saidI，\"thatallProtestantsaresupine；someofthemappeartobefilledwithunboundedzeal。
Theydeal，itistrue，notinlyingmiracles，buttheypropagateGod’sWord。Irememberonlyafewmonthsago，havingoccasionforaBible，goingtoanestablishment，theobjectofwhichwastosendBiblesallovertheworld。Thesupportersofthatestablishmentcouldhavenoself—
interestedviews；forIwassuppliedbythemwithanoble—
sizedBibleatapricesosmallastoprecludetheideathatitcouldbringanyprofittothevendors。\"
Thecountenanceofthemaninblackslightlyfell。\"Iknowthepeopletowhomyouallude，\"saidhe；\"indeed，unknowntothem，Ihavefrequentlybeentoseethem，andobservedtheirways。Itellyoufranklythatthereisnotasetofpeopleinthiskingdomwhohavecausedourchurchsomuchtroubleanduneasiness。Ishouldrathersaythattheyalonecauseusany；forasfortherest，whatwiththeirdrowsiness，theirplethora，theirfollyandtheirvanity，theyaredoingusanythingbutmischief。Thesefellowsareapestilentsetofheretics，whomwewouldgladlyseeburnt；theyare，withthemostuntiringperseverance，andinspiteofdiversminatorydeclarationsoftheholyfather，scatteringtheirbooksabroadthroughallEurope，andhavecausedmanypeopleinCatholiccountriestothinkthathithertotheirpriesthoodhaveendeavoured，asmuchaspossible，tokeepthemblinded。
Thereisonefellowamongstthemforwhomweentertainaparticularaversion；abig，burlyparson，withthefaceofalion，thevoiceofabuffalo，andafistlikeasledge—
hammer。ThelasttimeIwasthere，Iobservedthathiseyewasuponme，andIdidnotliketheglancehegavemeatall；
Iobservedhimclenchhisfist，andItookmydepartureasfastasIconvenientlycould。WhetherhesuspectedwhoI
was，Iknownot；butIdidnotlikehislookatall，anddonotintendtogoagain。\"
\"Well，then，\"saidI，\"youconfessthatyouhaveredoubtableenemiestoyourplansintheseregions，andthatevenamongsttheecclesiasticstherearesomewidelydifferentfromthoseoftheplethoricandPlatitudeschools？\"
\"Itisbuttootrue，\"saidthemaninblack；\"andiftherestofyourchurchwerelikethemweshouldquicklybidadieutoallhopeofconvertingtheseregions，butwearethankfultobeabletosaythatsuchfolksarenotnumerous；thereare，moreover，causesatworkquitesufficienttoundermineeventheirzeal。Theirsonsreturnatthevacations，fromOxfordandCambridge，puppies，fullofthenonsensewhichtheyhaveimbibedfromPlatitudeprofessors；andthisnonsensetheyretailathome，whereitfailsnottomakesomeimpression，whilstthedaughtersscream—Ibegtheirpardons—warbleaboutScotland’sMontroseandBonnyDundee，andalltheJacobs；sowehavenodoubtthattheirpapas’zealaboutthepropagationofsuchavulgarbookastheBiblewillinaverylittletimebeterriblydiminished。OldRomewillwin，soyouhadbetterjoinher。\"
Andthemaninblackdrainedthelastdropinhisglass。
\"Never，\"saidI，\"willIbecometheslaveofRome。\"
\"Shewillallowyoulatitude，\"saidthemaninblack；\"dobutserveher，andshewillallowyoutocallher’puta’atadecenttimeandplace，herpopesoccasionallycallher’puta。’Apopehasbeenknowntostartfromhisbedatmidnightandrushoutintothecorridor，andcallout’puta’
threetimesinavoicewhichpiercedtheVatican；thatpopewas—\"
\"AlexandertheSixth，Idaresay，\"saidI；\"thegreatestmonsterthateverexisted，thoughtheworthiestheadwhichthepopesystemeverhad—sohisconsciencewasnotalwaysstill。Ithoughtithadbeensearedwithabrandofiron。\"
\"Ididnotalludetohim，buttoamuchmoremodernpope，\"
saidthemaninblack；\"itistruehebroughttheword，whichisSpanish，fromSpain，hisnativecountry，toRome。Hewasveryfondofcallingthechurchbythatname，andotherpopeshavetakenitup。Shewillallowyoutocallherbyit，ifyoubelongtoher。\"
\"Ishallcallherso，\"saidI，\"withoutbelongingtoher，oraskingherpermission。\"
\"Shewillallowyoutotreatherassuch，ifyoubelongtoher，\"saidthemaninblack；\"thereisachapelinRome，wherethereisawondrouslyfairstatue—thesonofacardinal—Imeanhisnephew—once—Well，shedidnotcutoffhishead，butslightlyboxedhischeekandbadehimgo。\"
\"Ihavereadallaboutthatin’Keysler’sTravels，’\"saidI；
\"doyoutellherthatIwouldnottouchherwithapairoftongs，unlesstoseizehernose。\"
\"Sheisfondoflucre，\"saidthemaninblack；\"butdoesnotgrudgeafaithfulpriestalittleprivateperquisite，\"andhetookoutaveryhandsomegoldrepeater。
\"Areyounotafraid，\"saidI，\"toflashthatwatchbeforetheeyesofapoortinkerinadingle？\"
\"Notbeforetheeyesofonelikeyou，\"saidthemaninblack。
\"Itisgettinglate，\"saidI；\"Icarenotforperquisites。\"
\"Soyouwillnotjoinus？\"saidthemaninblack。
\"Youhavehadmyanswer，\"saidI。
\"IfIbelongtoRome，\"saidthemaninblack，\"whyshouldnotyou？\"
\"Imaybeapoortinker，\"saidI；\"butImayneverhaveundergonewhatyouhave。Youremember，perhaps，thefableofthefoxwhohadlosthistail？\"
Themaninblackwinced，butalmostimmediatelyrecoveringhimself，hesaid，\"Well，wecandowithoutyou，wearesureofwinning。\"
\"Itisnotthepartofwisepeople，\"saidI，\"tomakesureofthebattlebeforeitisfought：there’sthelandlordofthepublic—house，whomadesurethathiscockswouldwin，yetthecockslostthemain，andthelandlordislittlebetterthanabankrupt。\"
\"Peopleverydifferentfromthelandlord，\"saidthemaninblack，\"bothinintellectandstation，thinkweshallsurelywin；thereareclevermachinatorsamonguswhohavenodoubtofoursuccess。\"
\"Well，\"saidI，\"Iwillsetthelandlordaside，andwilladduceonewhowasineverypointaverydifferentpersonfromthelandlord，bothinunderstandingandstation；hewasveryfondoflayingschemes，and，indeed，manyofthemturnedoutsuccessful。Hislastanddarlingone，however，miscarried，notwithstandingthatbyhiscalculationshehadpersuadedhimselfthattherewasnopossibilityofitsfailing—thepersonthatIalludetowasoldFraser—\"
\"Who？\"saidthemaninblack，givingastart，andlettinghisglassfall。
\"OldFraser，ofLovat，\"saidI，\"theprinceofallconspiratorsandmachinators；hemadesureofplacingthePretenderonthethroneoftheserealms。’Icanbringintothefieldsomanymen，’saidhe；’myson—in—lawCluny，somany，andlikewisemycousin，andmygoodfriend；’thenspeakingofthoseonwhomthegovernmentreckonedforsupport，hewouldsay，’Soandsoarelukewarm，thispersonisruledbyhiswife，whoiswithus，theclergyareanythingbuthostiletous，andasforthesoldiersandsailors，halfaredisaffectedtoKingGeorge，andtherestcowards。’Yetwhenthingscametoatrial，thispersonwhomhehadcalculatedupontojointhePretenderdidnotstirfromhishome，anotherjoinedthehostileranks，thepresumedcowardsturnedoutheroes，andthosewhomhethoughtheroesranawaylikelustyfellowsatCulloden；inaword，hefoundhimselfutterlymistaken，andinnothingmorethaninhimself；hethoughthewasahero，andprovedhimselfnothingmorethananoldfox；hegotupahollowtree，didn’the，justlikeafox？
\"’L’operesuenonfuronleonine，madivolpe。’\"
Themaninblacksatsilentforaconsiderabletime，andatlengthansweredinratherafalteringvoice，\"Iwasnotpreparedforthis；youhavefrequentlysurprisedmebyyourknowledgeofthingswhichIshouldneverhaveexpectedanypersonofyourappearancetobeacquaintedwith，butthatyoushouldbeawareofmynameisacircumstanceutterlyincomprehensibletome。IhadimaginedthatnopersoninEnglandwasacquaintedwithit；indeed，Idon’tseehowanypersonshouldbe，Ihaverevealedittonoone，notbeingparticularlyproudofit。Yes，IacknowledgethatmynameisFraser，andthatIamofthebloodofthatfamilyorclan，ofwhichtherectorofourcollegeoncesaid，thathewasfirmlyofopinionthateveryindividualmemberwaseitherrogueorfool。IwasbornatMadrid，ofpure，OIME，Fraserblood。Myparents，atanearlyage，tookmeto—，wheretheyshortlydied，not，however，beforetheyhadplacedmeintheserviceofacardinal，withwhomIcontinuedforsomeyears，andwho，whenhehadnofurtheroccasionforme，sentmetothecollege，intheleft—handcloisterofwhich，asyouenter，restthebonesofSirJohn—；there，instudyinglogicandhumaneletters，IlostwhateverofhumanityIhadretainedwhendiscardedbythecardinal。Letmenot，however，forgettwopoints，—IamaFraser，itistrue，butnotaFlannagan；
ImaybearthevilestnameofBritain，butnotofIreland；I
wasbredupattheEnglishhouse，andthereisat—ahousefortheeducationofbogtrotters；Iwasnotbredupatthat；
beneaththelowestgulf，thereisoneyetlower；whatevermybloodmaybe，itisatleastnotIrish；whatevermyeducationmayhavebeen，IwasnotbredattheIrishseminary—onthoseaccountsIamthankful—yes，PERDIO！Iamthankful。
Aftersomeyearsatcollege—butwhyshouldItellyoumyhistory？youknowitalreadyperfectlywell，probablymuchbetterthanmyself。Iamnowamissionarypriest，labouringinhereticEngland，likeParsonsandGarnetofold，saveandexceptthat，unlikethem，Irunnodanger，forthetimesarechanged。AsItoldyoubefore，IshallcleavetoRome—I
must；NOHAYREMEDIO，astheysayatMadrid，andIwilldomybesttofurtherherholyplans—he！he！—butIconfessI
begintodoubtoftheirbeingsuccessfulhere—youputmeout；oldFraser，ofLovat！Ihaveheardmyfathertalkofhim；hehadagold—headedcane，withwhichheonceknockedmygrandfatherdown—hewasanastuteone，but，asyousay，mistaken，particularlyinhimself。IhavereadhislifebyArbuthnot，itisinthelibraryofourcollege。Farewell！I
shallcomenomoretothisdingle—tocomewouldbeofnoutility；Ishallgoandlabourelsewhere，though—howyoucametoknowmyname，isafactquiteinexplicable—
farewell！toyouboth。\"
Hethenarose；andwithoutfurthersalutationdepartedfromthedingle，inwhichIneversawhimagain。\"How，inthenameofwonder，cameyoutoknowthatman’sname？\"saidBelle，afterhehadbeengonesometime。
\"I，Belle？Iknewnothingofthefellow’sname，Iassureyou。\"
\"Butyoumentionedhisname。\"
\"IfIdid，itwasmerelycasually，bywayofillustration。I
wassayinghowfrequentlycunningpeopleweremistakenintheircalculations，andIadducedthecaseofoldFraser，ofLovat，asoneinpoint；Ibroughtforwardhisname，becauseI
waswellacquaintedwithhishistory，fromhavingcompiledandinserteditinawonderfulwork，whichIeditedsomemonthsago，entitled’NewgateLivesandTrials，’butwithouttheslightestideathatitwasthenameofhimwhowassittingwithus；he，however，thoughtthatIwasawareofhisname。Belle！Belle！foralongtimeIdoubtedthetruthofScripture，owingtocertainconceitedindividuals，butnowI
begintobelievefirmly；whatwonderfultextsareinScripture，Belle；’Thewickedtremblethwhere—where—’\"
\"’Theywereafraidwherenofearwas；thouhastputthemtoconfusion，becauseGodhathdespisedthem，’\"saidBelle；\"I
havefrequentlyreaditbeforetheclergymaninthegreathouseofLongMelford。Butifyoudidnotknowtheman’sname，whylethimgoawaysupposingthatyoudid？\"
\"Oh，ifhewasfoolenoughtomakesuchamistake，Iwasnotgoingtoundeceivehim—no，no！LettheenemiesofoldEnglandmakethemostofalltheirblundersandmistakes，theywillhavenohelpfromme；butenoughofthefellow，Belle；letusnowhavetea，andafterthat—\"
\"NoArmenian，\"saidBelle；\"butIwanttoaskaquestion：
prayareallpeopleofthatman’snameeitherroguesorfools？\"
\"Itisimpossibleformetosay，Belle，thispersonbeingtheonlyoneofthenameIhaveeverpersonallyknown。Isupposetherearegoodandbad，cleverandfoolish，amongstthem，asamongstalllargebodiesofpeople；however，afterthetribehadbeengovernedforupwardsofthirtyyears，bysuchapersonasoldFraser，itwerenowonderifthegreaterparthadbecomeeitherroguesorfools：hewasaruthlesstyrant，Belle，overhisownpeople，andbyhiscrueltyandrapaciousnessmusteitherhavestunnedthemintoanapathyapproachingtoidiotcy，ormadethemartfulknavesintheirowndefence。Thequalitiesofparentsaregenerallytransmittedtotheirdescendants—theprogenyoftrainedpointersarealmostsuretopoint，evenwithoutbeingtaught：
if，therefore，allFrasersareeitherroguesorfools，asthispersonseemstoinsinuate，itislittletobewonderedat，theirparentsorgrandparentshavingbeeninthetraining—schoolofoldFraser！Butenoughoftheoldtyrantandhisslaves。Belle，prepareteathismoment，ordreadmyanger。Ihavenotagold—headedcanelikeoldFraserofLovat，butIhave，whatsomepeoplewoulddreadmuchmore，anArmenianrune—stick。\"
CHAPTERV
FreshArrivals—PitchingtheTent—CertificatedWife—
High—flyingNotions。
ONthefollowingmorning，asIwasabouttoleavemytent，I
heardthevoiceofBelleatthedoor，exclaiming，\"Sleepestthou，orwakestthou？\"\"Iwasnevermoreawakeinmylife，\"
saidI，goingout。\"Whatisthematter？\"\"Heofthehorse—
shoe，\"saidshe，\"Jasper，ofwhomIhaveheardyoutalk，isabovethereonthefieldwithallhispeople；Iwentoutaboutaquarterofanhouragotofillthekettleatthespring，andsawthemarriving。\"Itiswell，\"saidI；\"haveyouanyobjectiontoaskinghimandhiswifetobreakfast？\"
\"Youcandoasyouplease，\"saidshe；\"Ihavecupsenough，andhavenoobjectiontotheircompany。\"\"Wearethefirstoccupiersoftheground，\"saidI，\"and，beingso，shouldconsiderourselvesinthelightofhosts，anddoourbesttopractisethedutiesofhospitality。\"\"Howfondyouareofusingthatword，\"saidBelle；\"ifyouwishtoinvitethemanandhiswife，doso，withoutmoreado；remember，however，thatIhavenotcupsenough，norindeedteaenough，forthewholecompany。\"Thereuponhurryinguptheascent，I
presentlyfoundmyselfoutsidethedingle。Itwasasusualabrilliantmorning，thedewybladesoftherye—grasswhichcoveredtheplainsparkledbrightlyinthebeamsofthesun，whichhadprobablybeenabouttwohoursabovethehorizon。A
rathernumerousbodyofmyancientfriendsandalliesoccupiedthegroundinthevicinityofthemouthofthedingle。AboutfiveyardsontherightIperceivedMr。
Petulengrobusilyemployedinerectinghistent；heheldinhishandanironbar，sharpatthebottom，withakindofarmprojectingfromthetopforthepurposeofsupportingakettleorcauldronoverthefire，andwhichiscalledintheRomanianlanguage\"Kekauviskoesaster。\"WiththesharpendofthisMr。Petulengrowasmakingholesintheearth，atabouttwentyinchesdistantfromeachother，intowhichheinsertedcertainlongrodswithaconsiderablebendtowardsthetop，whichconstitutednolessthanthetimberofthetent，andthesupportersofthecanvas。Mrs。Petulengro，andafemalewithacrutchinherhand，whomIrecognisedasMrs。
Chikno，satnearhimontheground，whilsttwoorthreechildren，fromsixtotenyearsold，whocomposedtheyoungfamilyofMr。andMrs。Petulengro，wereplayingabout。
\"Hereweare，brother，\"saidMr。Petulengro，ashedrovethesharpendofthebarintotheground；\"hereweare，andplentyofus—ButedostaRomanychals。\"
\"Iamgladtoseeyouall，\"saidI；\"andparticularlyyou，madam，\"saidI，makingabowtoMrs。Petulengro；\"andyoualso，madam，\"takingoffmyhattoMrs。Chikno。
\"Good—daytoyou，sir，\"saidMrs。Petulengro；\"youlook，asusual，charmingly，andspeakso，too；youhavenotforgotyourmanners。\"
\"Itisnotallgoldthatglitters，\"saidMrs。Chikno。
\"However，good—morrowtoyou，youngrye。\"
\"IdonotseeTawno，\"saidI，lookingaround；\"whereishe？\"
\"Where，indeed！\"saidMrs。Chikno；\"Idon’tknow；hewhocountenanceshimintherovinglinecanbestanswer。\"
\"Hewillbehereanon，\"saidMr。Petulengro；\"hehasmerelyriddendownaby—roadtoshowafarmeratwo—year—oldcolt；
sheheardmegivehimdirections，butshecan’tbesatisfied。\"
\"Ican’tindeed，\"saidMrs。Chikno。
\"Andwhynot，sister？\"
\"BecauseIplacenoconfidenceinyourwords，brother；asI
saidbefore，youcountenanceshim。\"
\"Well，\"saidI，\"Iknownothingofyourprivateconcerns；I
amcomeonanerrand。IsopelBerners，downinthedellthere，requeststhepleasureofMr。andMrs。Petulengro’scompanyatbreakfast。Shewillbehappyalsotoseeyou，madam，\"saidI，addressingMrs。Chikno。
\"Isthatyoungfemaleyourwife，youngman？\"saidMrs。
Chikno。
\"Mywife？\"saidI。
\"Yes，youngman；yourwife，yourlawfulcertificatedwife？\"
\"No，\"saidI；\"sheisnotmywife。\"
\"ThenIwillnotvisitwithher，\"saidMrs。Chikno；\"I
countenancenothingintherovingline。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbytherovingline？\"Idemanded。
\"WhatdoImeanbytherovingline？Why，byitImeansuchconductasisnottatcheno。Whenryesandrawnieslivetogetherindingles，withoutbeingcertificated，Icallsuchbehaviourbeingtolerablydeepintherovingline，everythingsavouringofwhichIamdeterminednottosanctify。Ihavesufferedtoomuchbymyowncertificatedhusband’soutbreaksinthatlinetoaffordanythingofthekindtheslightestshadowofcountenance。\"
\"Itishardthatpeoplemaynotliveindinglestogetherwithoutbeingsuspectedofdoingwrong，\"saidI。
\"Soitis，\"saidMrs。Petulengro，interposing；\"and，totellyouthetruth，Iamaltogethersurprisedattheilliberalityofmysister’sremarks。Ihaveoftenheardsay，thatitisingoodcompany—andIhavekeptgoodcompanyinmytime—
thatsuspicionisking’sevidenceofanarrowanduncultivatedmind；onwhichaccountIamsuspiciousofnobody，notevenofmyownhusband，whomsomepeoplewouldthinkIhavearighttobesuspiciousof，seeingthatonhisaccountIoncerefusedalord；butaskhimwhetherIamsuspiciousofhim，andwhetherIseektokeephimclosetiedtomyapron—string；hewilltellyounothingofthekind；butthat，onthecontrary，Ialwaysallowshimanagreeablelatitude，permittinghimtogowherehepleases，andtoconversewithanyonetowhosemannerofspeakinghemaytakeafancy。ButIhavehadtheadvantageofkeepinggoodcompany，andtherefore—\"
\"Meklis，\"saidMrs。Chikno，\"praydropallthat，sister；I
believeIhavekeptasgoodcompanyasyourself；andwithrespecttothatofferwithwhichyoufrequentlyfatiguethosewhokeepscompanywithyou，Ibelieve，afterall，itwassomethingintherovinganduncertificatedline。\"
\"Inwhateverlineitwas，\"saidMrs。Petulengro，\"theofferwasagoodone。Theyoungduke—forhewasnotonlyalord，butaduketoo—offeredtokeepmeafinecarriage，andtomakemehissecondwife；foritistruethathehadanotherwhowasoldandstout，thoughmightyrich，andhighlygood—
natured；somuchso，indeed，thattheyounglordassuredmethatshewouldhavenomannerofobjectiontothearrangement；moreespeciallyifIwouldconsenttoliveinthesamehousewithher，beingfondofyoungandcheerfulsociety。Soyousee—\"
\"Yes，yes，\"saidMrs。Chikno，\"Isee，whatIbeforethought，thatitwasaltogetherintheuncertificatedline。\"
\"Meklis，\"saidMrs。Petulengro；\"Iuseyourownword，madam，whichisRomany：formyownpart，IamnotfondofusingRomanywords，unlessIcanhopetopassthemoffforFrench，whichIcannotinthepresentcompany。Iheartilywishthattherewasnosuchlanguage，anddomybesttokeepitawayfrommychildren，lestthefrequentuseofitshouldaltogetherconfirmtheminlowandvulgarhabits。Ihavefourchildren，madam，but—\"
\"Isupposebytalkingofyourfourchildrenyouwishtocheckmeforhavingnone，\"saidMrs。Chikno，burstingintotears；
\"ifIhavenochildren，sister，itisnofaultofmine，itis—butwhydoIcallyousister？\"saidshe，angrily；\"youarenosisterofmine，youareagrasni，aregularmare—aprettysister，indeed，ashamedofyourownlanguage。I
rememberwellthatbyyourhigh—flyingnotionsyoudroveyourownmother—\"
\"Wewilldropit，\"saidMrs。Petulengro；\"Idonotwishtoraisemyvoice，andtomakemyselfridiculous。Younggentleman，\"saidshe，\"praypresentmycomplimentstoMissIsopelBerners，andinformherthatIamverysorrythatI
cannotacceptherpoliteinvitation。Iamjustarrived，andhavesomeslightdomesticmatterstoseeto—amongstothers，towashmychildren’sfaces；butthatinthecourseoftheforenoon，whenIhaveattendedtowhatIhavetodo，andhavedressedmyself，Ihopetodomyselfthehonourofpayingheraregularvisit；youwilltellherthat，withmycompliments。
Withrespecttomyhusbandhecananswerforhimself，asI，notbeingofajealousdisposition，neverinterfereswithhismatters。\"
\"AndtellMissBerners，\"saidMr。Petulengro，\"thatIshallbehappytowaituponherincompanywithmywifeassoonasweareregularlysettled：atpresentIhavemuchonmyhands，havingnotonlytopitchmyowntent，butthisherejealouswoman’s，whosehusbandisabsentonmybusiness。\"
ThereuponIreturnedtothedingle，and，withoutsayinganythingaboutMrs。Chikno’sobservations，communicatedtoIsopelthemessagesofMr。andMrs。Petulengro；Isopelmadenootherreplythanbyreplacinginhercoffertwoadditionalcupsandsaucers，which，inexpectationofcompany，shehadplacedupontheboard。Thekettlewasbythistimeboiling。
Wesatdown，and，aswebreakfasted，IgaveIsopelBernersanotherlessonintheArmenianlanguage。
