your trade-laws because his brother, who do own many vessels, will find it for his good."
"Is it possible, my dear sir," gasped Fisherwick, "that you can read and believe such detestable lies as are published in that infamous paper? not that I ever look at it, but he told me of that paragraph. He is magnanimous on those points to a degree of which I can give you no idea; but if anybody can really believe such libels—I must have these fellows pulled up."
"Ah! ah! you are angry, my dear Fisherwick. What! Mr. G. do then have a brother with shipping?"
"I angry!" said Fisherwick, puffing like an irate grampus; "if we official men were put out by such palpable calumnies as these, a blessed time we should have of it."
"But he have a brother which trades," pursued La Grange, shouting with delight as he felt he was driving Fisherwick to earth.
"He has three brothers, men of very distinguished ability and large fortune." This was enunciated with much majesty.
"And one in trade; ha, I have found you out; my paper did tell the trute."
Fisherwick turned from him in disgust, and had in consequence to endure a slap on the shoulder, and another triumphant laugh, as La Grange continued to repeat, "Found out."
After the ladies went to the drawing-room, Helen had Lady Portmore's high spirits and oppressive pity to bear; but much to her surprise was defended and protected by Mrs. Douglas, who sympathized with her headache, promoted her quiet, and snubbed Lady Portmore with great success.
Eliza was unfeignedly low at her own prospects; she thought she had only one more day of perfect happiness to come, and then there would be an end of refinement
