'Charming country, Mrs. Chaworth,' said Mrs. Byron.... 'Annesley is a delightful place, very unlike the Abbey. Dreadfully lonesome, I assure you, I find it there. Great change for us from a little town and all our kind neighbours. Very different from Dulwich; is it not, George?' 'I hate Dulwich,' said the boy. 'Hate Dulwich!' exclaimed Mrs. Byron; 'well, I am sure, that is very ungrateful, with so many kind friends as we always found. Besides, George, have I not always told you that you are to hate nothing? It is very wicked.--The trouble it costs me, Mrs. Chaworth, to educate this dear child!' continued Mrs. Byron turning to her hostess. 'But when he likes, he can be as good as any one. Can't you, George?' Lord Byron gave a grim smile, seated himself at the very back of the deep chair and swung his feet, which no longer reached the ground, to and fro. 'I am sure that Lord Byron always behaves well,' said Mrs. Chaworth. 'There, George,' continued Mrs. Byron, 'only listen to that. Hear what Mrs. Chaworth says. Now mind, never give her cause to change her opinion. George curled his lip, and half turned his back on his companions.... 'George, my dear, speak. Have not I always told you, when you pay a visit, that you should open your mouth now and then. I don't like chattering children, but I like them to answer when they are spoken to.' 'Nobody has spoken to me,' said Lord Byron in a sullen tone. 'George, my love,' said his mother in a solemn voice, 'you know you promised me to be good.' 'Well! what have I done?' 'Lord Byron,' said Mrs. Chaworth, interfering, 'do you like to look at pictures?' 'Thank you,' replied the little lord in a more courteous tone; 'I like to be left alone.' 'Did you ever know such an odd child!' said Mrs. Byron; 'and yet, I assure you, Mrs. Chaworth, he can behave, when he likes, as pretty as possible.' 'Pretty!' muttered the little lord between his teeth. 'If you had only seen him at Dulwich sometimes at a little tea-party,' said Mrs. Byron, 'he really was quite the ornament of the company.' 'No, I wasn't,' said Lord Byron. 'George!' said his mother again in a solemn tone, 'have I not always told you that you are never to contradict any one?' The little lord indulged in a suppressed growl. 'There was a little play last Christmas,' continued Mrs. Byron, 'and he acted quite delightfully. Now you would not think that, from the way he sits upon that chair. George, my dear, I do insist upon your behaving yourself. Sit like a man.' 'I am not a man,' said Lord Byron, very quietly; 'I wish I were.' 'George!' said the mother, 'have I not always told you that you are never to answer me? It is not proper for children to answer.... Do you hear me?' she cried, with a face reddening to scarlet, and almost menacing a move from her seat. 'Yes, everybody hears you, Mrs. Byron,' said the little lord.