ABSTRACT

That poignant ridicule in which Lord Danesforte excelled, and which made him generally accounted so extremely entertaining, he now exerted to place the departed visitors in the most absurd light. Ethelinde, though the ostentatious vanity of her aunt, and the affectation of her cousin, were extremely displeasing to her, and though she saw all the absurdity of the young mercantile bel esprit, was yet hurt that Lady Newenden considered so little that they were nearly related to herself, and that much allowance should be made for different modes of life. That they all seemed desirous of stepping out of their’s, rendered them undoubtedly ridiculous; yet did not Ethelinde love to hear her cousin, who had hitherto so much disliked visiting them, declare that she should enjoy the dining there of all things – a change occasioned solely by the pleasure she found in gratifying the satyrical talents of Lord Denesforte with such ample matter for their display. Before his Lordship and Lady Newenden had exhausted all the amusement the group afforded them, Ethelinde was more weary of them than she had been of the objects of their ridicule, and left them to enjoy it alone. Sir Edward had long before retired; and again Lord Danesforte had occasion, though obliquely, to point out to Lady Newenden that neither of them remained in company a moment longer than they could possibly avoid.