luxury we all experience in expressing contempt. I continue, therefore,
but quietly and without affectation, to indulge that luxury. Besides, I
own to you, my dear Mrs. Trevor, I do think that the mere insolence of
titles must fairly and thoroughly be put down, if we sincerely wish to
render society agreeable; and where can we find a better example for
punishment than the Duchess of Winstoun?"

"But, my dear Lady Erpingham, you are thought insolent: your friend, Lady
----, is called insolent, too;--are you sure the charge is not merited?"

"I allow the justice of the charge; but you will observe, ours is not the
insolence of rank: we have made it a point to protect, to the utmost, the
poor and unfriended of all circles. Are we ever rude to governesses or
companions, or poor writers, or musicians? When a man marries below him,
do we turn our backs on the poor wife? Do we not, on the contrary, lavish
our attention on her, and throw round her equivocal and joyless state the
protection of Fashion? No, no! _our_ insolence is Justice! it is the
chalice returned to the lips which prepared it; it is insolence to the
insolent; reflect, and you will allow it."

The fashion that Constance set and fostered was of a generous order; but
it was not suited to the majority; it was corrupted by her followers into
a thousand basenesses. In vain do we make a law, if the general spirit is
averse to the law. Constance could humble the great; could loosen the
links of extrinsic rank; could undermine the power of titles; but that was
all! She could abase the proud, but not elevate the general tone: for one
slavery she only substituted another,--people hugged the chains of
Fashion, as before they hugged those of Titular Arrogance.

Amidst the gossip of the day Constance heard much of Godolphin, and all