all that a parent can desire! and who has formed them such but their mother? Who has watched over their tender infancy but their mother—who has set them examples and lessons of virtue but she? Ought they then in justice to be preferred, and rank above her in esteem?—the greatest breach of justice would it be: and never shall they outstep that virtuous woman, who merits so much at their hands; nature and common feeling forbid it." "All that you observe," replied Mrs. Arden, "seems no doubt very plausible, according to your own conception of the thing, but it will not advance her in my father's estimation—her birth and quality so inferior to what he might have expected in your wife."
"Her birth and quality!" re-echoed the General, his eyes flashing fire; "if, when the daughter of an honest country vicar, she was not your equal, now, assuredly, as my wife, she takes precedence above you, in whatever circle you may chance to meet." During this ill-judged speech of De Brooke, the injured pride and mortification it provoked in Mrs. Arden were never to lose their impression.
To be placed, in the sphere of fashion, below the level of one so inferior to her as she considered Mrs. De Brooke, born and bred in rank and amid splendour, the daughter and favoured child of the highly distinguished Sir Aubrey,—gathering at
