predecessors had ever attained.

This presumption was like a thunderbolt to Mrs. Grizzle, who began
to perceive that she had not succeeded quite so well as she imagined,
in selecting for her brother a gentle and obedient yoke-fellow,
who would always treat her with that profound respect which she
thought due to her superior genius, and be entirely regulated by
her advice and direction: however, she still continued to manage
the reins of government in the house, reprehending the servants as
usual; an office she performed with great capacity, and in which
she seemed to take singular delight, until Mrs. Pickle, on pretence
of consulting her ease, told her one day she would take that trouble
on herself, and for the future assume the management of her own
family. Nothing could be more mortifying to Mrs. Grizzle than such
a declaration; to which, after a considerable pause, and strange
distortion of look, she replied: "I shall never refuse or repine
at any trouble that may conduce to my brother's advantage."--"Dear
madam," answered the sister, "I am infinitely obliged for your
kind concern for Mr. Pickle's interest, which I consider as my own,
but I cannot bear to see you a sufferer by your friendship; and,
therefore, insist on exempting you from the fatigue you have borne
so long."

In vain did the other protest that she took pleasure in the task:
Mrs. Pickle ascribed the assurance to her excess of complaisance;
and expressed such tenderness of zeal for her dear sister's health
and tranquility, that the reluctant maiden found herself obliged
to resign her authority, without enjoying the least pretext for
complaining of her being deposed.