“Lavinia,” returned Mr. Sampson, in a dismal vein, “I did not mean to say so. What I did mean to say, was, that I never expected to retain my favoured place in this family, after Fortune shed her beams upon it. Why do you take me,” said Mr. Sampson, “to the glittering halls with which I can never compete, and then taunt me with my moderate salary? Is it generous? Is it kind?”

The stately lady, Mrs. Wilfer, perceiving her opportunity of delivering a few remarks from the throne, here took up the altercation.

“ Mr. Sampson,” she began, “I cannot permit you to misrepresent the intentions of a child of mine.”

“Let him alone, Ma,” Miss Lavvy interposed with haughtiness. “It is indifferent to me what he says or does.”