Could you have done her a greater unkindness? In making people ridiculous, we injure them extremely. If your cousin and sisters were to hear of Miss Sydney ten years hence, they would connect with her name the awkward, disagreeable idea you have given them of her character. They might unguardedly express the opinion they had formed of her to others, and thus punish her for faults she had long since corrected. Do you perceive to what an extent this might injure her? CONSTANTIA. I have indeed been very wrong. I beg of you to forgive me. MRS. LEYSTER. I allow that Miss Sydney’s conduct was very blameable and therefore to me, in whom you have a perfect confidence, I admit you to remark upon it, but not with ill-nature or severity. I expected from the goodness of your heart, pity and generous allowance for the faults of Miss Sydney, who wants the advantages you are more happily possessed of. Do you believe that without better instruction and example, you would have conducted better than Miss Sydney? CONSTANTIA. Oh, no indeed, I must be both ungrateful and presumptuous if I could believe it. MRS. LEYSTER. Personal ridicule, in general arises from envy or ill-nature, a mean desire of lowering those virtues we cannot reach, or a mean vanity of exposing those follies from which we feel ourselves free. Who is there in whom nothing ridiculous can be found? CONSTANTIA. I see, Mamma, I have committed a great fault. Will you forgive me? MRS. LEYSTER. Since you have not been wilfully and obstinately wrong, I forgive you. But you must remember mine is not the only forgiveness you must seek. CONSTANTIA. Miss Sydney’s, you mean, Mama? MRS. LEYSTER. No, that would wound her feelings. But do you remember who has said, “Do unto others as you would wish others to do unto you?” CONSTANTIA. Yes, I see how very guilty I have been and I pray God to forgive me. [Illustration: PL. XXII.—MRS. PUNDERSON, PUPIL ] HELEN. Permit me to observe, since I do not do it from perverseness, on what you said, what is there ridiculous in you? MRS. LEYSTER. You pay me a great compliment, Helen, which for once I will accept. But you will perhaps scarcely believe so striking a picture was once drawn of me, by a young mimic of my acquaintance, who was not aware of my seeing her, that I could not help laughing at it myself. My little cough, the trick I have of leaning my head forward, and the slow manner I have in talking, were imitated and made to appear ridiculous. HELEN. Oh, Mama, but these are not ridiculous. MRS. LEYSTER.