command or cutting rebuke.

For one, I was glad when the time came to go home, and I rather
think that all present were as much relieved, in getting away, as I
was.

"What is your opinion now?" said I, triumphantly, to Mrs.
Sunderland, the moment we were in the street.

"My opinion," she replied, a little sharply, "is, that you did not
act, in several instances, this evening, like a gentleman!"

"I did not!" I spoke with affected surprise only; for I thought I
knew what it was she meant.

"No, I am sorry to say that you did not. Nothing could have been
more improper than the notice you took of what was passing. A true
gentlemanly spirit would have led you to look away from, rather than
at the weakness of our hostess."

"Look away from it, Mrs. Sunderland! How could I do that, pray? It
was before my eyes all the time."

"You ought to have shut your eyes, then."

"Nonsense."

"Very far from it, Mr. Sunderland! You are ready enough to see the
faults of other people!"--(in this, I must confess, my wife did not
err very much)--"but quite willing to shut your eyes to your own.