Now, in fact, was the time of her greatest prosperity; and her
husband gathering these fashionable characters about him, extended
his "agency" considerably, and began to thank his stars that he had
married a woman who was as good as a fortune to him.

In extending his agency, however, Mr. Walker increased his expenses
proportionably, and multiplied his debts accordingly. More
furniture and more plate, more wines and more dinner-parties, became
necessary; the little pony-phaeton was exchanged for a brougham of
evenings; and we may fancy our old friend Mr. Eglantine's rage and
disgust, as he looked from the pit of the Opera, to see Mrs. Walker
surrounded by what he called "the swell young nobs" about London,
bowing to my Lord, and laughing with his Grace, and led to carriage
by Sir John.

The Ravenswing's position at this period was rather an exceptional
one. She was an honest woman, visited by that peculiar class of our
aristocracy who chiefly associate with ladies who are NOT honest.
She laughed with all, but she encouraged none. Old Crump was
constantly at her side now when she appeared in public, the most
watchful of mammas, always awake at the Opera, though she seemed to
be always asleep; but no dandy debauchee could deceive her
vigilance, and for this reason Walker, who disliked her (as every
man naturally will, must, and should dislike his mother-in-law), was
contented to suffer her in his house to act as a chaperon to
Morgiana.

None of the young dandies ever got admission of mornings to the
little mansion in the Edgware Road; the blinds were always down; and
though you might hear Morgiana's voice half across the Park as she