wouldfainpersuademyselfwererathertheeffectofhereducationthanherdisposition:shehadneverbeenperfectlytaughtthedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong；shehad，likeherbrothersandsisters，beensuffered，frominfancy，totyrannizeovernurses，governesses，andservants；shehadnotbeentaughttomoderateherdesires，tocontrolhertemperorbridleherwill，ortosacrificeherownpleasureforthegoodofothers。Hertemperbeingnaturallygood，shewasneverviolentormorose，butfromconstantindulgence，andhabitualscornofreason，shewasoftentestyandcapricious；hermindhadneverbeencultivated:herintellect，atbest，wassomewhatshallow；shepossessedconsiderablevivacity，somequicknessofperception，andsometalentformusicandtheacquisitionoflanguages，buttillfifteenshehadtroubledherselftoacquirenothing；-thentheloveofdisplayhadrousedherfaculties，andinducedhertoapplyherself，butonlytothemoreshowyaccomplishments。AndwhenIcameitwasthesame:
everythingwasneglectedbutFrench，German，music，singing，dancing，fancy-work，andalittledrawing-suchdrawingasmightproducethegreatestshowwiththesmallestlabour，andtheprincipalpartsofwhichweregenerallydonebyme。Formusicandsinging，besidesmyoccasionalinstructions，shehadtheattendanceofthebestmasterthecountryafforded；andintheseaccomplishments，aswellasindancing，shecertainlyattainedgreatproficiency。Tomusic，indeed，shedevotedtoomuchofhertime，as，governessthoughIwas，Ifrequentlytoldher；buthermotherthoughtthatifSHElikedit，sheCOULDnotgivetoomuchtimetotheacquisitionofsoattractiveanart。Offancy-workI
knewnothingbutwhatIgatheredfrommypupilandmyownobservation；butnosoonerwasIinitiated，thanshemademeusefulintwentydifferentways:allthetediouspartsofherworkwereshiftedontomyshoulders；suchasstretchingtheframes，stitchinginthecanvas，sortingthewoolsandsilks，puttinginthegrounds，countingthestitches，rectifyingmistakes，andfinishingthepiecesshewastiredof。
Atsixteen，MissMurraywassomethingofaromp，yetnotmoresothanisnaturalandallowableforagirlofthatage，butatseventeen，thatpropensity，likeallotherthings，begantogivewaytotherulingpassion，andsoonwasswallowedupintheall-
absorbingambitiontoattractanddazzletheothersex。Butenoughofher:nowletusturntohersister。
MissMatildaMurraywasaveritablehoyden，ofwhomlittleneedbesaid。Shewasabouttwoyearsandahalfyoungerthanhersister；
herfeatureswerelarger，hercomplexionmuchdarker。Shemightpossiblymakeahandsomewoman；butshewasfartoobig-bonedandawkwardevertobecalledaprettygirl，andatpresentshecaredlittleaboutit。Rosalieknewallhercharms，andthoughtthemevengreaterthantheywere，andvaluedthemmorehighlythansheoughttohavedone，hadtheybeenthreetimesasgreat；Matildathoughtshewaswellenough，butcaredlittleaboutthematter；
stilllessdidshecareaboutthecultivationofhermind，andtheacquisitionofornamentalaccomplishments。Themannerinwhichshelearntherlessonsandpractisedhermusicwascalculatedtodriveanygovernesstodespair。Shortandeasyashertaskswere，ifdoneatall，theywereslurredover，atanytimeandinanyway；
butgenerallyattheleastconvenienttimes，andinthewayleastbeneficialtoherself，andleastsatisfactorytome:theshorthalf-hourofpractisingwashorriblystrummedthrough；she，meantime，unsparinglyabusingme，eitherforinterruptingherwithcorrections，orfornotrectifyinghermistakesbeforetheyweremade，orsomethingequallyunreasonable。Onceortwice，Iventuredtoremonstratewithherseriouslyforsuchirrationalconduct；butoneachofthoseoccasions，Ireceivedsuchreprehensiveexpostulationsfromhermother，asconvincedmethat，ifIwishedtokeepthesituation，ImustevenletMissMatildagooninherownway。
Whenherlessonswereover，however，herill-humourwasgenerallyovertoo:whileridingherspiritedpony，orrompingwiththedogsorherbrothersandsister，butespeciallywithherdearbrotherJohn，shewasashappyasalark。Asananimal，Matildawasallright，fulloflife，vigour，andactivity；asanintelligentbeing，shewasbarbarouslyignorant，indocile，carelessandirrational；
and，consequently，verydistressingtoonewhohadthetaskofcultivatingherunderstanding，reforminghermanners，andaidinghertoacquirethoseornamentalattainmentswhich，unlikehersister，shedespisedasmuchastherest。Hermotherwaspartlyawareofherdeficiencies，andgavememanyalectureastohowI
shouldtrytoformhertastes，andendeavourtorouseandcherishherdormantvanity；and，byinsinuating，skilfulflattery，towinherattentiontothedesiredobjects-whichIwouldnotdo；andhowIshouldprepareandsmooththepathoflearningtillshecouldglidealongitwithouttheleastexertiontoherself:whichI
couldnot，fornothingcanbetaughttoanypurposewithoutsomelittleexertiononthepartofthelearner。
Asamoralagent，Matildawasreckless，headstrong，violent，andunamenabletoreason。Oneproofofthedeplorablestateofhermindwas，thatfromherfather'sexampleshehadlearnedtoswearlikeatrooper。Hermotherwasgreatlyshockedatthe'unlady-liketrick，'andwondered'howshehadpickeditup。''Butyoucansoonbreakherofit，MissGrey，'saidshe:'itisonlyahabit；andifyouwilljustgentlyremindhereverytimeshedoesso，Iamsureshewillsoonlayitaside。'Inotonly'gentlyreminded'her，I
triedtoimpressuponherhowwrongitwas，andhowdistressingtotheearsofdecentpeople:butallinvain:Iwasonlyansweredbyacarelesslaugh，and，'Oh，MissGrey，howshockedyouare!
I'msoglad!'or，'Well!Ican'thelpit；papashouldn'thavetaughtme:Ilearneditallfromhim；andmaybeabitfromthecoachman。'
HerbrotherJohn，ALIASMasterMurray，wasaboutelevenwhenI
came:afine，stout，healthyboy，frankandgood-naturedinthemain，andmighthavebeenadecentladhadhebeenproperlyeducated；butnowhewasasroughasayoungbear，boisterous，unruly，unprincipled，untaught，unteachable-atleast，foragovernessunderhismother'seye。Hismastersatschoolmightbeabletomanagehimbetter-fortoschoolhewassent，greatlytomyrelief，inthecourseofayear；inastate，itistrue，ofscandalousignoranceastoLatin，aswellasthemoreusefulthoughmoreneglectedthings:andthis，doubtless，wouldallbelaidtotheaccountofhiseducationhavingbeenentrustedtoanignorantfemaleteacher，whohadpresumedtotakeinhandwhatshewaswhollyincompetenttoperform。Iwasnotdeliveredfromhisbrothertillfulltwelvemonthsafter，whenhealsowasdespatchedinthesamestateofdisgracefulignoranceastheformer。
MasterCharleswashismother'speculiardarling。HewaslittlemorethanayearyoungerthanJohn，butmuchsmaller，paler，andlessactiveandrobust；apettish，cowardly，capricious，selfishlittlefellow，onlyactiveindoingmischief，andonlycleverininventingfalsehoods:notsimplytohidehisfaults，but，inmeremaliciouswantonness，tobringodiumuponothers。Infact，MasterCharleswasaverygreatnuisancetome:itwasatrialofpatiencetolivewithhimpeaceably；towatchoverhimwasworse；
andtoteachhim，orpretendtoteachhim，wasinconceivable。
Attenyearsold，hecouldnotreadcorrectlytheeasiestlineinthesimplestbook；andas，accordingtohismother'sprinciple，hewastobetoldeveryword，beforehehadtimetohesitateorexamineitsorthography，andnevereventobeinformed，asastimulanttoexertion，thatotherboysweremoreforwardthanhe，itisnotsurprisingthathemadebutlittleprogressduringthetwoyearsI
hadchargeofhiseducation。HisminuteportionsofLatingrammar，&；c。，weretoberepeatedovertohim，tillhechosetosayheknewthem，andthenhewastobehelpedtosaythem；ifhemademistakesinhislittleeasysumsinarithmetic，theyweretobeshownhimatonce，andthesumdoneforhim，insteadofhisbeinglefttoexercisehisfacultiesinfindingthemouthimself；sothat，ofcourse，hetooknopainstoavoidmistakes，butfrequentlysetdownhisfiguresatrandom，withoutanycalculationatall。
Ididnotinvariablyconfinemyselftotheserules:itwasagainstmyconsciencetodoso；butIseldomcouldventuretodeviatefromthemintheslightestdegree，withoutincurringthewrathofmylittlepupil，andsubsequentlyofhismamma；towhomhewouldrelatemytransgressionsmaliciouslyexaggerated，oradornedwithembellishmentsofhisown；andoften，inconsequence，wasIonthepointoflosingorresigningmysituation。But，fortheirsakesathome，Ismotheredmyprideandsuppressedmyindignation，andmanagedtostruggleontillmylittletormentorwasdespatchedtoschool；hisfatherdeclaringthathomeeducationwas'nogo；forhim，itwasplain；hismotherspoiledhimoutrageously，andhisgovernesscouldmakenohandofhimatall。'
AfewmoreobservationsaboutHortonLodgeanditsongoings，andI
havedonewithdrydescriptionforthepresent。Thehousewasaveryrespectableone；superiortoMr。Bloomfield's，bothinage，size，andmagnificence:thegardenwasnotsotastefullylaidout；
butinsteadofthesmooth-shavenlawn，theyoungtreesguardedbypalings，thegroveofupstartpoplars，andtheplantationoffirs，therewasawidepark，stockedwithdeer，andbeautifiedbyfineoldtrees。Thesurroundingcountryitselfwaspleasant，asfarasfertilefields，flourishingtrees，quietgreenlanes，andsmilinghedgeswithwild-flowersscatteredalongtheirbanks，couldmakeit；butitwasdepressinglyflattoonebornandnurturedamongtheruggedhillsof。
Weweresituatednearlytwomilesfromthevillagechurch，and，consequently，thefamilycarriagewasputinrequisitioneverySundaymorning，andsometimesoftener。Mr。andMrs。Murraygenerallythoughtitsufficienttoshowthemselvesatchurchonceinthecourseoftheday；butfrequentlythechildrenpreferredgoingasecondtimetowanderingaboutthegroundsallthedaywithnothingtodo。Ifsomeofmypupilschosetowalkandtakemewiththem，itwaswellforme；forotherwisemypositioninthecarriagewastobecrushedintothecornerfarthestfromtheopenwindow，andwithmybacktothehorses:apositionwhichinvariablymademesick；andifIwerenotactuallyobligedtoleavethechurchinthemiddleoftheservice，mydevotionsweredisturbedwithafeelingoflanguorandsickliness，andthetormentingfearofitsbecomingworse:andadepressingheadachewasgenerallymycompanionthroughouttheday，whichwouldotherwisehavebeenoneofwelcomerest，andholy，calmenjoyment。
'It'sveryodd，MissGrey，thatthecarriageshouldalwaysmakeyousick:itnevermakesME，'remarkedMissMatilda，'Normeeither，'saidhersister；'butIdaresayitwould，ifI
satwhereshedoes-suchanasty，horridplace，MissGrey；I
wonderhowyoucanbearit!'
'Iamobligedtobearit，sincenochoiceisleftme，'-Imighthaveanswered；butintendernessfortheirfeelingsIonlyreplied，-'Oh!itisbutashortway，andifIamnotsickinchurch，I
don'tmindit。'
IfIwerecalledupontogiveadescriptionoftheusualdivisionsandarrangementsoftheday，Ishouldfinditaverydifficultmatter。Ihadallmymealsintheschoolroomwithmypupils，atsuchtimesassuitedtheirfancy:sometimestheywouldringfordinnerbeforeitwashalfcooked；sometimestheywouldkeepitwaitingonthetableforaboveanhour，andthenbeoutofhumourbecausethepotatoeswerecold，andthegravycoveredwithcakesofsolidfat；sometimestheywouldhaveteaatfour；frequently，theywouldstormattheservantsbecauseitwasnotinpreciselyatfive；andwhentheseorderswereobeyed，bywayofencouragementtopunctuality，theywouldkeepitonthetabletillsevenoreight。
Theirhoursofstudyweremanagedinmuchthesameway；myjudgmentorconveniencewasneveronceconsulted。SometimesMatildaandJohnwoulddetermine'togetalltheplaguybusinessoverbeforebreakfast，'andsendthemaidtocallmeupathalf-pastfive，withoutanyscrupleorapology；sometimes，Iwastoldtobereadypreciselyatsix，and，havingdressedinahurry，camedowntoanemptyroom，andafterwaitingalongtimeinsuspense，discoveredthattheyhadchangedtheirminds，andwerestillinbed；or，perhaps，ifitwereafinesummermorning，Brownwouldcometotellmethattheyoungladiesandgentlemenhadtakenaholiday，andweregoneout；andthenIwaskeptwaitingforbreakfasttillIwasalmostreadytofaint:theyhavingfortifiedthemselveswithsomethingbeforetheywent。
Oftentheywoulddotheirlessonsintheopenair；whichIhadnothingtosayagainst:exceptthatIfrequentlycaughtcoldbysittingonthedampgrass，orfromexposuretotheeveningdew，orsomeinsidiousdraught，whichseemedtohavenoinjuriouseffectonthem。Itwasquiterightthattheyshouldbehardy；yet，surely，theymighthavebeentaughtsomeconsiderationforotherswhowerelessso。ButImustnotblamethemforwhatwas，perhaps，myownfault；forInevermadeanyparticularobjectionstosittingwheretheypleased；foolishlychoosingtorisktheconsequences，ratherthantroublethemformyconvenience。Theirindecorousmannerofdoingtheirlessonswasquiteasremarkableasthecapricedisplayedintheirchoiceoftimeandplace。Whilereceivingmyinstructions，orrepeatingwhattheyhadlearned，theywouldloungeuponthesofa，lieontherug，stretch，yawn，talktoeachother，orlookoutofthewindow；whereas，Icouldnotsomuchasstirthefire，orpickupthehandkerchiefIhaddropped，withoutbeingrebukedforinattentionbyoneofmypupils，ortoldthat'mammawouldnotlikemetobesocareless。'
Theservants，seeinginwhatlittleestimationthegovernesswasheldbybothparentsandchildren，regulatedtheirbehaviourbythesamestandard。Ihavefrequentlystoodupforthem，attheriskofsomeinjurytomyself，againstthetyrannyandinjusticeoftheiryoungmastersandmistresses；andIalwaysendeavouredtogivethemaslittletroubleaspossible:buttheyentirelyneglectedmycomfort，despisedmyrequests，andslightedmydirections。Allservants，Iamconvinced，wouldnothavedoneso；butdomesticsingeneral，beingignorantandlittleaccustomedtoreasonandreflection，aretooeasilycorruptedbythecarelessnessandbadexampleofthoseabovethem；andthese，Ithink，werenotofthebestordertobeginwith。
IsometimesfeltmyselfdegradedbythelifeIled，andashamedofsubmittingtosomanyindignities；andsometimesIthoughtmyselfafoolforcaringsomuchaboutthem，andfearedImustbesadlywantinginChristianhumility，orthatcharitywhich'sufferethlongandiskind，seekethnotherown，isnoteasilyprovoked，bearethallthings，endurethallthings。'
But，withtimeandpatience，mattersbegantobeslightlyameliorated:slowly，itistrue，andalmostimperceptibly；butI
gotridofmymalepupilsthatwasnotriflingadvantage，andthegirls，asIintimatedbeforeconcerningoneofthem，becamealittlelessinsolent，andbegantoshowsomesymptomsofesteem。
'MissGreywasaqueercreature:sheneverflattered，anddidnotpraisethemhalfenough；butwhenevershedidspeakfavourablyofthem，oranythingbelongingtothem，theycouldbequitesureherapprobationwassincere。Shewasveryobliging，quiet，andpeaceableinthemain，butthereweresomethingsthatputheroutoftemper:theydidnotmuchcareforthat，tobesure，butstillitwasbettertokeepherintune；aswhenshewasinagoodhumourshewouldtalktothem，andbeveryagreeableandamusingsometimes，inherway；whichwasquitedifferenttomamma's，butstillverywellforachange。Shehadherownopinionsoneverysubject，andkeptsteadilytothem-verytiresomeopinionstheyoftenwere；asshewasalwaysthinkingofwhatwasrightandwhatwaswrong，andhadastrangereverenceformattersconnectedwithreligion，andanunaccountablelikingtogoodpeople。'
chapter08
CHAPTERVIII-THE'COMINGOUT'
ATeighteen，MissMurraywastoemergefromthequietobscurityoftheschoolroomintothefullblazeofthefashionableworld-asmuchofit，atleast，ascouldbehadoutofLondon；forherpapacouldnotbepersuadedtoleavehisruralpleasuresandpursuits，evenforafewweeks'residenceintown。ShewastomakeherdebutonthethirdofJanuary，atamagnificentball，whichhermammaproposedtogivetoallthenobilityandchoicegentryofO-anditsneighbourhoodfortwentymilesround。Ofcourse，shelookedforwardtoitwiththewildestimpatience，andthemostextravagantanticipationsofdelight。
'MissGrey，'saidshe，oneevening，amonthbeforetheall-
importantday，asIwasperusingalongandextremelyinterestingletterofmysister's-whichIhadjustglancedatinthemorningtoseethatitcontainednoverybadnews，andkepttillnow，unablebeforetofindaquietmomentforreadingit，-'MissGrey，doputawaythatdull，stupidletter，andlistentome!I'msuremytalkmustbefarmoreamusingthanthat。'
Sheseatedherselfonthelowstoolatmyfeet；andI，suppressingasighofvexation，begantofolduptheepistle。
'Youshouldtellthegoodpeopleathomenottoboreyouwithsuchlongletters，'saidshe；'and，aboveall，dobidthemwriteonpropernote-paper，andnotonthosegreatvulgarsheets。Youshouldseethecharminglittlelady-likenotesmammawritestoherfriends。'
'Thegoodpeopleathome，'repliedI，'knowverywellthatthelongertheirlettersare，thebetterIlikethem。Ishouldbeverysorrytoreceiveacharminglittlelady-likenotefromanyofthem；
andIthoughtyouweretoomuchofaladyyourself，MissMurray，totalkaboutthe"vulgarity"ofwritingonalargesheetofpaper。'
'Well，Ionlysaidittoteaseyou。ButnowIwanttotalkabouttheball；andtotellyouthatyoupositivelymustputoffyourholidaystillitisover。'
'Whyso？-Ishallnotbepresentattheball。'
'No，butyouwillseetheroomsdeckedoutbeforeitbegins，andhearthemusic，and，aboveall，seemeinmysplendidnewdress。
I
shallbesocharming，you'llbereadytoworshipme-youreallymuststay。'
'Ishouldliketoseeyouverymuch；butIshallhavemanyopportunitiesofseeingyouequallycharming，ontheoccasionofsomeofthenumberlessballsandpartiesthataretobe，andI
cannotdisappointmyfriendsbypostponingmyreturnsolong。'
'Oh，nevermindyourfriends!Tellthemwewon'tletyougo。'
'But，tosaythetruth，itwouldbeadisappointmenttomyself:
I
longtoseethemasmuchastheytoseeme-perhapsmore。'
'Well，butitissuchashorttime。'
'Nearlyafortnightbymycomputation；and，besides，IcannotbearthethoughtsofaChristmasspentfromhome:and，moreover，mysisterisgoingtobemarried。'
'Isshe-when？'
'Nottillnextmonth；butIwanttobetheretoassistherinmakingpreparations，andtomakethebestofhercompanywhilewehaveher。'
'Whydidn'tyoutellmebefore？'
'I'veonlygotthenewsinthisletter，whichyoustigmatizeasdullandstupid，andwon'tletmeread。'
'Towhomisshetobemarried？'
'ToMr。Richardson，thevicarofaneighbouringparish。'
'Isherich？'
'No；onlycomfortable。'
'Ishehandsome？'
'No；onlydecent。'
'Young？'
'No；onlymiddling。'
'Oh，mercy!whatawretch!Whatsortofahouseisit？'
'Aquietlittlevicarage，withanivy-cladporch，anold-fashionedgarden，and-'
'Oh，stop!-you'llmakemesick。HowCANshebearit？'
'Iexpectshe'llnotonlybeabletobearit，buttobeveryhappy。
YoudidnotaskmeifMr。Richardsonwereagood，wise，oramiableman；IcouldhaveansweredYes，toallthesequestions-atleastsoMarythinks，andIhopeshewillnotfindherselfmistaken。'
'But-miserablecreature!howcanshethinkofspendingherlifethere，coopedupwiththatnastyoldman；andnohopeofchange？'
'Heisnotold:he'sonlysixorsevenandthirty；andsheherselfistwenty-eight，andassoberasifshewerefifty。'
'Oh!that'sbetterthen-they'rewellmatched；butdotheycallhimthe"worthyvicar"？'
'Idon'tknow；butiftheydo，Ibelievehemeritstheepithet。'
'Mercy，howshocking!andwillshewearawhiteapronandmakepiesandpuddings？'
'Idon'tknowaboutthewhiteapron，butIdaresayshewillmakepiesandpuddingsnowandthen；butthatwillbenogreathardship，asshehasdoneitbefore。'
'Andwillshegoaboutinaplainshawl，andalargestrawbonnet，carryingtractsandbonesouptoherhusband'spoorparishioners？'
'I'mnotclearaboutthat；butIdaresayshewilldoherbesttomakethemcomfortableinbodyandmind，inaccordancewithourmother'sexample。'
chapter09
CHAPTERIX-THEBALL
'NOW，MissGrey，'exclaimedMissMurray，immediatelyIenteredtheschoolroom，afterhavingtakenoffmyoutdoorgarments，uponreturningfrommyfourweeks'recreation，'Now-shutthedoor，andsitdown，andI'lltellyouallabouttheball。'
'No-damnit，no!'shoutedMissMatilda。'Holdyourtongue，can'tye？andletmetellheraboutmynewmare-SUCHasplendour，MissGrey!afinebloodmare-'
'Dobequiet，Matilda；andletmetellmynewsfirst。'
'No，no，Rosalie；you'llbesuchadamnedlongtimeoverit-sheshallhearmefirst-I'llbehangedifshedoesn't!'
'I'msorrytohear，MissMatilda，thatyou'venotgotridofthatshockinghabityet。'
'Well，Ican'thelpit:butI'llneversayawickedwordagain，ifyou'llonlylistentome，andtellRosalietoholdherconfoundedtongue。'
Rosalieremonstrated，andIthoughtIshouldhavebeentorninpiecesbetweenthem；butMissMatildahavingtheloudestvoice，hersisteratlengthgavein，andsufferedhertotellherstoryfirst:
soIwasdoomedtohearalongaccountofhersplendidmare，itsbreedingandpedigree，itspaces，itsaction，itsspirit，&；c。，andofherownamazingskillandcourageinridingit；concludingwithanassertionthatshecouldclearafive-barredgate'likewinking，'thatpapasaidshemighthuntthenexttimethehoundsmet，andmammahadorderedabrightscarlethunting-habitforher。
'Oh，Matilda!whatstoriesyouaretelling!'exclaimedhersister。
'Well，'answeredshe，nowhitabashed，'IknowICOULDclearafive-barredgate，ifItried，andpapaWILLsayImayhunt，andmammaWILLorderthehabitwhenIaskit。'
'Well，nowgetalong，'repliedMissMurray；'anddo，dearMatilda，trytobealittlemorelady-like。MissGrey，Iwishyouwouldtellhernottousesuchshockingwords；shewillcallherhorseamare:itissoinconceivablyshocking!andthensheusessuchdreadfulexpressionsindescribingit:shemusthavelearneditfromthegrooms。Itnearlyputsmeintofitswhenshebegins。'
'Ilearneditfrompapa，youass!andhisjollyfriends，'saidtheyounglady，vigorouslycrackingahunting-whip，whichshehabituallycarriedinherhand。'I'masgoodjudgeofhorsefleshasthebestof'm。'
'Well，nowgetalong，youshockinggirl!Ireallyshalltakeafitifyougooninsuchaway。Andnow，MissGrey，attendtome；
I'mgoingtotellyouabouttheball。Youmustbedyingtohearaboutit，Iknow。Oh，SUCHaball!Youneversaworheard，orread，ordreamtofanythinglikeitinallyourlife。Thedecorations，theentertainment，thesupper，themusicwereindescribable!andthentheguests!Thereweretwonoblemen，threebaronets，andfivetitledladies，andotherladiesandgentlemeninnumerable。Theladies，ofcourse，wereofnoconsequencetome，excepttoputmeinagoodhumourwithmyself，byshowinghowuglyandawkwardmostofthemwere；andthebest，mammatoldme，-themosttranscendentbeautiesamongthem，werenothingtome。Asforme，MissGrey-
I'msoSORRYyoudidn'tseeme!IwasCHARMING-wasn'tI，Matilda？'
'Middling。'
'No，butIreallywas-atleastsomammasaid-andBrownandWilliamson。Brownsaidshewassurenogentlemancouldseteyesonmewithoutfallinginlovethatminute；andsoImaybeallowedtobealittlevain。Iknowyouthinkmeashocking，conceited，frivolousgirl；butthen，youknow，Idon'tattributeitALLtomypersonalattractions:Igivesomepraisetothehairdresser，andsometomyexquisitelylovelydress-youmustseeitto-morrow-
whitegauzeoverpinksatin-andsoSWEETLYmade!andanecklaceandbraceletofbeautiful，largepearls!'
'Ihavenodoubtyoulookedverycharming:butshouldthatdelightyousoverymuch？'
'Oh，no!-notthatalone:but，then，Iwassomuchadmired；andI
madesoMANYconquestsinthatonenight-you'dbeastonishedtohear-'
'Butwhatgoodwilltheydoyou？'
'Whatgood!Thinkofanywomanaskingthat!'
'Well，Ishouldthinkoneconquestwouldbeenough；andtoomuch，unlessthesubjugationweremutual。'
'Oh，butyouknowIneveragreewithyouonthosepoints。Now，waitabit，andI'lltellyoumyprincipaladmirers-thosewhomadethemselvesveryconspicuousthatnightandafter:forI'vebeentotwopartiessince。Unfortunatelythetwonoblemen，LordG-
andLordF-，weremarried，orImighthavecondescendedtobeparticularlygracioustoTHEM；asitwas，Ididnot:thoughLordF-，whohateshiswife，wasevidentlymuchstruckwithme。Heaskedmetodancewithhimtwice-heisacharmingdancer，by-the-
by，andsoamI:youcan'tthinkhowwellIdid-Iwasastonishedatmyself。Mylordwasverycomplimentarytoo-rathertoomuchsoinfact-andIthoughtpropertobealittlehaughtyandrepellent；butIhadthepleasureofseeinghisnasty，crosswifereadytoperishwithspiteandvexation-'
'Oh，MissMurray!youdon'tmeantosaythatsuchathingcouldreallygiveyoupleasure？Howevercrossor-'
'Well，Iknowit'sverywrong；-butnevermind!Imeantobegoodsometime-onlydon'tpreachnow，there'sagoodcreature。I
haven'ttoldyouhalfyet。Letmesee。Oh!IwasgoingtotellyouhowmanyunmistakeableadmirersIhad:-SirThomasAshbywasone，-SirHughMelthamandSirBroadleyWilsonareoldcodgers，onlyfitcompanionsforpapaandmamma。SirThomasisyoung，rich，andgay；butanuglybeast，nevertheless:however，mammasaysI
shouldnotmindthatafterafewmonths'acquaintance。Then，therewasHenryMeltham，SirHugh'syoungerson；rathergood-looking，andapleasantfellowtoflirtwith:butBEINGayoungerson，thatisallheisgoodfor；thentherewasyoungMr。Green，richenough，butofnofamily，andagreatstupidfellow，amerecountrybooby!
andthen，ourgoodrector，Mr。Hatfield:anHUMBLEadmirerheoughttoconsiderhimself；butIfearhehasforgottentonumberhumilityamonghisstockofChristianvirtues。'
'WasMr。Hatfieldattheball？'
'Yes，tohesure。Didyouthinkhewastoogoodtogo？'
'Ithoughtbemightconsideritunclerical。'
'Bynomeans。Hedidnotprofanehisclothbydancing；butitwaswithdifficultyhecouldrefrain，poorman:helookedasifheweredyingtoaskmyhandjustforONEset；and-oh!by-the-by-
he'sgotanewcurate:thatseedyoldfellowMr。Blighhasgothislong-wished-forlivingatlast，andisgone。'
'Andwhatisthenewonelike？'
'Oh，SUCHabeast!Westonhisnameis。Icangiveyouhisdescriptioninthreewords-aninsensate，ugly，stupidblockhead。
That'sfour，butnomatter-enoughofHIMnow。'
Thenshereturnedtotheball，andgavemeafurtheraccountofherdeportmentthere，andattheseveralpartiesshehadsinceattended；andfurtherparticularsrespectingSirThomasAshbyandMessrs。Meltham，Green，andHatfield，andtheineffaceableimpressionshehadwroughtuponeachofthem。
'Well，whichofthefourdoyoulikebest？'saidI，suppressingmythirdorfourthyawn。
'Idetestthemall!'repliedshe，shakingherbrightringletsinvivaciousscorn。
'Thatmeans，Isuppose，"Ilikethemall"-butwhichmost？'
'No，Ireallydetestthemall；butHarryMelthamisthehandsomestandmostamusing，andMr。Hatfieldthecleverest，SirThomasthewickedest，andMr。Greenthemoststupid。ButtheoneI'mtohave，Isuppose，ifI'mdoomedtohaveanyofthem，isSirThomasAshby。'
'Surelynot，ifhe'ssowicked，andifyoudislikehim？'
'Oh，Idon'tmindhisbeingwicked:he'sallthebetterforthat；
andasfordislikinghim-Ishouldn'tgreatlyobjecttobeingLadyAshbyofAshbyPark，ifImustmarry。ButifIcouldbealwaysyoung，Iwouldbealwayssingle。Ishouldliketoenjoymyselfthoroughly，andcoquetwithalltheworld，tillIamonthevergeofbeingcalledanoldmaid；andthen，toescapetheinfamyofthat，afterhavingmadetenthousandconquests，tobreakalltheirheartssaveone，bymarryingsomehigh-born，rich，indulgenthusband，whom，ontheotherhand，fiftyladiesweredyingtohave。'
'Well，aslongasyouentertaintheseviews，keepsinglebyallmeans，andnevermarryatall:noteventoescapetheinfamyofold-maidenhood。'
chapter10
CHAPTERX-THECHURCH
'WELL，MissGrey，whatdoyouthinkofthenewcurate？'askedMissMurray，onourreturnfromchurchtheSundayaftertherecommencementofourduties。
'Icanscarcelytell，'wasmyreply:'Ihavenotevenheardhimpreach。'
'Well，butyousawhim，didn'tyou？'
'Yes，butIcannotpretendtojudgeofaman'scharacterbyasinglecursoryglanceathisface。'
'Butisn'theugly？'
'Hedidnotstrikemeasbeingparticularlyso；Idon'tdislikethatcastofcountenance:buttheonlythingIparticularlynoticedabouthimwashisstyleofreading；whichappearedtomegood-infinitelybetter，atleast，thanMr。Hatfield's。HereadtheLessonsasifhewerebentongivingfulleffecttoeverypassage；itseemedasifthemostcarelesspersoncouldnothavehelpedattending，northemostignoranthavefailedtounderstand；
andtheprayershereadasifhewerenotreadingatall，butprayingearnestlyandsincerelyfromhisownheart。'
'Oh，yes，that'sallheisgoodfor:hecanplodthroughtheservicewellenough；buthehasnotasingleideabeyondit。'
'Howdoyouknow？'
'Oh!Iknowperfectlywell；Iamanexcellentjudgeinsuchmatters。Didyouseehowhewentoutofchurch？stumpingalong-
asiftherewerenobodytherebuthimself-neverlookingtotherighthandortheleft，andevidentlythinkingofnothingbutjustgettingoutofthechurch，and，perhaps，hometohisdinner:hisgreatstupidheadcouldcontainnootheridea。'
'Isupposeyouwouldhavehadhimcastaglanceintothesquire'spew，'saidI，laughingatthevehemenceofherhostility。
'Indeed!Ishouldhavebeenhighlyindignantifhehaddaredtodosuchathing!'repliedshe，haughtilytossingherhead；then，afteramoment'sreflection，sheadded-'Well，well!Isupposehe'sgoodenoughforhisplace:butI'mgladI'mnotdependentonHIM
foramusement-that'sall。DidyouseehowMr。Hatfieldhurriedouttogetabowfromme，andbeintimetoputusintothecarriage？'
'Yes，'answeredI；internallyadding，'andIthoughtitsomewhatderogatorytohisdignityasaclergymantocomeflyingfromthepulpitinsucheagerhastetoshakehandswiththesquire，andhandhiswifeanddaughtersintotheircarriage:and，moreover，Iowehimagrudgefornearlyshuttingmeoutofit'；for，infact，thoughIwasstandingbeforehisface，closebesidethecarriagesteps，waitingtogetin，hewouldpersistinputtingthemupandclosingthedoor，tilloneofthefamilystoppedhimbycallingoutthatthegovernesswasnotinyet；then，withoutawordofapology，hedeparted，wishingthemgood-morning，andleavingthefootmantofinishthebusiness。
NOTABENE-Mr。Hatfieldneverspoketome，neitherdidSirHughorLadyMeltham，norMr。HarryorMissMeltham，norMr。Greenorhissisters，noranyotherladyorgentlemanwhofrequentedthatchurch:nor，infact，anyonethatvisitedatHortonLodge。
MissMurrayorderedthecarriageagain，intheafternoon，forherselfandhersister:shesaiditwastoocoldforthemtoenjoythemselvesinthegarden；andbesides，shebelievedHarryMelthamwouldbeatchurch。'For，'saidshe，smilingslylyatherownfairimageintheglass，'hehasbeenamostexemplaryattendantatchurchtheselastfewSundays:youwouldthinkhewasquiteagoodChristian。Andyoumaygowithus，MissGrey:Iwantyoutoseehim；heissogreatlyimprovedsincehereturnedfromabroad-youcan'tthink!Andbesides，thenyouwillhaveanopportunityofseeingthebeautifulMr。Westonagain，andofhearinghimpreach。'
Ididhearhimpreach，andwasdecidedlypleasedwiththeevangelicaltruthofhisdoctrine，aswellastheearnestsimplicityofhismanner，andtheclearnessandforceofhisstyle。
Itwastrulyrefreshingtohearsuchasermon，afterbeingsolongaccustomedtothedry，prosydiscoursesoftheformercurate，andthestilllessedifyingharanguesoftherector。Mr。Hatfieldwouldcomesailinguptheaisle，orrathersweepingalonglikeawhirlwind，withhisrichsilkgownflyingbehindhimandrustlingagainstthepewdoors，mountthepulpitlikeaconquerorascendinghistriumphalcar；then，sinkingonthevelvetcushioninanattitudeofstudiedgrace，remaininsilentprostrationforacertaintime；thenmutteroveraCollect，andgabblethroughtheLord'sPrayer，rise，drawoffonebrightlavenderglove，togivethecongregationthebenefitofhissparklingrings，lightlypasshisfingersthroughhiswell-curledhair，flourishacambrichandkerchief，reciteaveryshortpassage，or，perhaps，amerephraseofScripture，asahead-piecetohisdiscourse，and，finally，deliveracompositionwhich，asacomposition，mightbeconsideredgood，thoughfartoostudiedandtooartificialtobepleasingtome:thepropositionswerewelllaiddown，theargumentslogicallyconducted；andyet，itwassometimeshardtolistenquietlythroughout，withoutsomeslightdemonstrationsofdisapprovalorimpatience。
Hisfavouritesubjectswerechurchdiscipline，ritesandceremonies，apostolicalsuccession，thedutyofreverenceandobediencetotheclergy，theatrociouscriminalityofdissent，theabsolutenecessityofobservingalltheformsofgodliness，thereprehensiblepresumptionofindividualswhoattemptedtothinkforthemselvesinmattersconnectedwithreligion，ortobeguidedbytheirowninterpretationsofScripture，and，occasionallytopleasehiswealthyparishionersthenecessityofdeferentialobediencefromthepoortotherich-supportinghismaximsandexhortationsthroughoutwithquotationsfromtheFathers:withwhomheappearedtobefarbetteracquaintedthanwiththeApostlesandEvangelists，andwhoseimportanceheseemedtoconsideratleastequaltotheirs。Butnowandthenhegaveusasermonofadifferentorder-whatsomewouldcallaverygoodone；butsunlessandsevere:representingtheDeityasaterribletaskmasterratherthanabenevolentfather。Yet，asIlistened，Ifeltinclinedtothinkthemanwassincereinallhesaid:hemusthavechangedhisviews，andbecomedecidedlyreligious，gloomyandaustere，yetstilldevout。Butsuchillusionswereusuallydissipated，oncomingoutofchurch，byhearinghisvoiceinjocundcolloquywithsomeoftheMelthamsorGreens，or，perhaps，theMurraysthemselves；probablylaughingathisownsermon，andhopingthathehadgiventherascallypeoplesomethingtothinkabout；perchance，exultinginthethoughtthatoldBettyHolmeswouldnowlayasidethesinfulindulgenceofherpipe，whichhadbeenherdailysolaceforupwardsofthirtyyears:thatGeorgeHigginswouldbefrightenedoutofhisSabbatheveningwalks，andThomasJacksonwouldbesorelytroubledinhisconscience，andshakeninhissureandcertainhopeofajoyfulresurrectionatthelastday。
Thus，IcouldnotbutconcludethatMr。Hatfieldwasoneofthosewho'bindheavyburdens，andgrievoustobeborne，andlaythemuponmen'sshoulders，whiletheythemselveswillnotmovethemwithoneoftheirfingers'；andwho'makethewordofGodofnoneeffectbytheirtraditions，teachingfordoctrinesthecommandmentsofmen。'Iwaswellpleasedtoobservethatthenewcurateresembledhim，asfarasIcouldsee，innoneoftheseparticulars。
'Well，MissGrey，whatdoyouthinkofhimnow？'saidMissMurray，aswetookourplacesinthecarriageafterservice。
'Noharmstill，'repliedI。
'Noharm!'repeatedsheinamazement。'Whatdoyoumean？'
'Imean，IthinknoworseofhimthanIdidbefore。'
'Noworse!Ishouldthinknotindeed-quitethecontrary!
Ishenotgreatlyimproved？'
'Oh，yes；verymuchindeed，'repliedI；forIhadnowdiscoveredthatitwasHarryMelthamshemeant，notMr。Weston。Thatgentlemanhadeagerlycomeforwardtospeaktotheyoungladies:
athinghewouldhardlyhaveventuredtodohadtheirmotherbeenpresent；hehadlikewisepolitelyhandedthemintothecarriage。
Hehadnotattemptedtoshutmeout，likeMr。Hatfield；neither，ofcourse，hadheofferedmehisassistanceIshouldnothaveacceptedit，ifhehad，butaslongasthedoorremainedopenhehadstoodsmirkingandchattingwiththem，andthenliftedhishatanddepartedtohisownabode:butIhadscarcelynoticedhimallthetime。Mycompanions，however，hadbeenmoreobservant；and，aswerolledalong，theydiscussedbetweenthemnotonlyhislooks，words，andactions，buteveryfeatureofhisface，andeveryarticleofhisapparel。
'Youshan'thavehimalltoyourself，Rosalie，'saidMissMatildaatthecloseofthisdiscussion；'Ilikehim:Iknowhe'dmakeanice，jollycompanionforme。'
'Well，you'requitewelcometohim，Matilda，'repliedhersister，inatoneofaffectedindifference。
'AndI'msure，'continuedtheother，'headmiresmequiteasmuchashedoesyou；doesn'the，MissGrey？'
'Idon'tknow；I'mnotacquaintedwithhissentiments。'
'Well，butheDOESthough。'
'MyDEARMatilda!nobodywilleveradmireyoutillyougetridofyourrough，awkwardmanners。'
'Oh，stuff!HarryMelthamlikessuchmanners；andsodopapa'sfriends。'
'Well，youMAYcaptivateoldmen，andyoungersons；butnobodyelse，Iamsure，willevertakeafancytoyou。'
'Idon'tcare:I'mnotalwaysgrabbingaftermoney，likeyouandmamma。Ifmyhusbandisabletokeepafewgoodhorsesanddogs，I
shallbequitesatisfied；andalltherestmaygotothedevil!'
'Well，ifyouusesuchshockingexpressions，I'msurenorealgentlemanwilleverventuretocomenearyou。Really，MissGrey，youshouldnotletherdoso。'
'Ican'tpossiblypreventit，MissMurray。'
'Andyou'requitemistaken，Matilda，insupposingthatHarryMelthamadmiresyou:Iassureyouhedoesnothingofthekind。'
Matildawasbeginninganangryreply；but，happily，ourjourneywasnowatanend；andthecontentionwascutshortbythefootmanopeningthecarriage-door，andlettingdownthestepsforourdescent。
chapter11
CHAPTERXI-THECOTTAGERS
ASIhadnowonlyoneregularpupil-thoughshecontrivedtogivemeasmuchtroubleasthreeorfourordinaryones，andthoughhersisterstilltooklessonsinGermananddrawing-IhadconsiderablymoretimeatmyowndisposalthanIhadeverbeenblessedwithbefore，sinceIhadtakenuponmethegoverness'syoke；whichtimeIdevotedpartlytocorrespondencewithmyfriends，partlytoreading，study，andthepracticeofmusic，singing，&；c。，partlytowanderinginthegroundsoradjacentfields，withmypupilsiftheywantedme，aloneiftheydidnot。