Harriet pondered a little, and said, "My Lady is not at enmity with
us, since my father keeps the house and agency."

"We should be reduced to poverty indeed without them," said Betty;
"and Sir Jovian, an upright honourable man, the only person whom my
Lady truly respected, insisted on his continuance. As long as my
Lady regards his memory we are safe, but no one can trust to her
caprice."

"She never comes here, nor disturbs my father."

"No, but she makes heavy calls on the estate, and is displeased if he
refuses to overpress the tenants or hesitates to cut the timber."

"I have heard say," added Harriet, "that her debts in town and her
losses at play drove her to accept her present husband, Mr. Wayland, a
hideous old fellow, who had become vastly rich through some discovery
about cannon."

"He is an honourable and upright man," said Betty. "I should have
fewer anxieties if he had not been sent out to Gibraltar and Minorca
to superintend the fortifications."

"Meantime my Lady makes the money fly, by the help of the gallant
Colonel Mar," said Harriet lightly.

"Fie! Harriet!" returned the elder sister; "I have allowed you too far.
My father calls Lady Belamour his commanding officer, and permits no
scandal to be spoken of her."