"Nay, if you grow serious," cries Mrs. Ellison, "I have done. How is it possible you should suspect I had taken any dislike to a man to whom I have always shewn so perfect a regard; but to say I think him, or almost any other man in the world, worthy of yourself, is not within my power with truth. And since you force the confession from me, I declare, I think such beauty, such sense, and such goodness united, might aspire without vanity to the arms of any monarch in Europe." "Alas! my dear Mrs. Ellison," answered Amelia, "do you think happiness and a crown so closely united? how many miserable women have lain in the arms of kings?--Indeed, Mrs. Ellison, if I had all the merit you compliment me with, I should think it all fully rewarded with such a man as, I thank Heaven, hath fallen to my lot; nor would I, upon my soul, exchange that lot with any queen in the universe." "Well, there are enow of our sex," said Mrs. Ellison, "to keep you in countenance; but I shall never forget the beginning of a song of Mr. Congreve's, that my husband was so fond of that he was always singing it:-- Love's but a frailty of the mind, When 'tis not with ambition join'd. Love without interest makes but an unsavoury dish, in my opinion." "And pray how long hath this been your opinion?" said Amelia, smiling. "Ever since I was born," answered Mrs. Ellison; "at least, ever since I can remember." "And have you never," said Amelia, "deviated from this generous way of thinking?" "Never once," answered the other, "in the whole course of my life." "O, Mrs. Ellison! Mrs. Ellison!" cries Amelia; "why do we ever blame those who are disingenuous in confessing their faults, when we are so often ashamed to own ourselves in the right? Some women now, in my situation, would be angry that you had not made confidantes of them; but I never desire to know more of the secrets of others than they are pleased to intrust me with. You must believe, however, that I should not have given you these hints of my knowing all if I had disapproved your choice. On the contrary, I assure you I highly approve it. The gentility he wants, it will be easily in your power to procure for him; and as for his good qualities, I will myself be bound for them; and I make not the least doubt, as you have owned to me yourself that you have placed your affections on him, you will be one of the happiest women in the world." "Upon my honour," cries Mrs. Ellison very gravely, "I do not understand one word of what you mean." "Upon my honour, you astonish me," said Amelia; "but I have done." "Nay then," said the other, "I insist upon knowing what you mean." "Why, what can I mean," answered Amelia, "but your marriage with serjeant Atkinson?" "With serjeant Atkinson!" cries Mrs. Ellison eagerly, "my marriage with a serjeant!" "Well, with Mr. Atkinson, then, Captain Atkinson, if you please; for so I hope to see him."