of esteem on one hand, and obligation on the other, bound them very closely: and, although they expected to meet again very soon, the continuance of life can never be reckoned on when the thread has passed fourscore, or nearly reached it. Unlike our heroine, the Kentish family in question held themselves familiar with the idea of removal, and therefore could never be startled by the summons; and the blessing of receiving Arthur, as from the dead, and of leaving Frederic in such a state of happiness as that gift bestowed on him, made them frequently own to each other, that if they were now called away with little personal pain and in full possession of their faculties, it would be a most happy circumstance.
"Not," said Mrs. Margaret, "but one would have liked to see Meersbrook married still more than his brother, because he is so likely to be happy as a married man living at home in peace and honour, rendering his tenantry comfortable, setting an example to all other young men of family, as his father did before him—one would have liked it, I say; but God's will be done!"
"One would, indeed, dear Margaret, but you see this is his first London season; he may meet some one soon, as it may happen, whom he can fancy."
"I could have wished him to marry before he got into that fancy fair, or vanity fair, a London
