was no need of money, for the Captain took care of that."

Mrs. Cat did not undeceive her; and deceived Mrs. Score certainly
was,--for she imagined the well-dressed gentleman who led Cat from
the carriage was no other than the Count; and, as she had heard,
from time to time, exaggerated reports of the splendour of the
establishment which he kept up, she was induced to look upon her
niece with the very highest respect, and to treat her as if she were
a fine lady. "And so she IS a fine lady," Mrs. Score had said
months ago, when some of these flattering stories reached her, and
she had overcome her first fury at Catherine's elopement. "The girl
was very cruel to leave me; but we must recollect that she is as
good as married to a nobleman, and must all forget and forgive, you
know."

This speech had been made to Doctor Dobbs, who was in the habit of
taking a pipe and a tankard at the "Bugle," and it had been roundly
reprobated by the worthy divine; who told Mrs. Score, that the crime
of Catherine was only the more heinous, if it had been committed
from interested motives; and protested that, were she a princess, he
would never speak to her again. Mrs. Score thought and pronounced
the Doctor's opinion to be very bigoted; indeed, she was one of
those persons who have a marvellous respect for prosperity, and a
corresponding scorn for ill-fortune. When, therefore, she returned
to the public room, she went graciously to the gentleman who had led
Mrs. Catherine from the carriage, and with a knowing curtsey
welcomed him to the "Bugle;" told him that his lady would not come
to dinner, but bade her say, with her best love to his Lordship,
that the ride had fatigued her, and that she would lie in bed for an
hour or two.