" "Oh, you have a number of best pieces," said her aunt, carelessly.

Miss Betsey Trotwood, an aunt of my father's, and consequently a great-aunt of mine, arrived on the afternoon of the day I was born, and explained to my mother (who was very much afraid of her) that she meant to provide for her child, which was to be a girl.

" "I didn't think you'd begrudge me the little I eat," said his aunt, dolefully.

"How did you enjoy your walk?" "I shall never enjoy anything again," said his aunt, gloomily.

"You must keep Emily for his lordship, positively, aunt: she is almost as great an admirer of him as yourself.

Cheerful, animated, at times even joyous, she appeared a happier being than she had ever been before; and sincerely her aunt and uncle, who really loved her as their child, rejoiced in the change, though they knew not, guessed not the real cause.

" "It is well, my love," said the aunt, soothingly; "you cannot fail with such means, and your own exertions, finally to prevail over your own worst enemies, your passions.

" "It's enough to make all of us have long faces," said his aunt, sourly, "when you are brazen enough to own that you mean to be a miserable drunkard.