Le faux bien qu'elle prÍche est plus dangereux que le mal mÍme, en ce qu'il sÈduit par une apparence de raison, en ce qu'il fait prÈfÈrer l'usage et les maximes du monde, ‡ l'exacte probitÈ, en ce qu'il fait consister la sagesse dans un certain milieu entre le vice et la vertu[2]. JEAN JACQUES ROUSSEAU, A M. D'ALEMBERT. [Footnote 2: The false propriety which she preaches is more dangerous than vice itself, inasmuch as it seduces by an appearance of reason--inasmuch as it recommends the usages and the maxims of the world in preference to strict integrity--inasmuch as it makes wisdom appear to be a certain medium between vice and virtue.] Selina was not less attentive to Lady Eltondale's various lessons on propriety and elegance, than she had been to the instructions of Mademoiselle Omphalie. And though Lady Hammersley's satirical predictions were not yet fulfilled, as to any alteration that had taken place in her mind; yet it was evident, before she had been many weeks at Eltondale, that her general deportment was considerably changed since she had been under the superintendence of the Viscountess. Perhaps no woman ever more thoroughly understood the rules of politeness than did Lady Eltondale; and though a pupil formed entirely in her school would scarcely have failed to acquire, ultimately, that freezing apathy which was one of her own most distinguishing characteristics, yet the refinement of her manners was by no means an unfortunate counterpoise to the natural vivacity of Selina's. If it could have been possible to unite the polished exterior of the one with the unsophisticated mind of the other, it would have formed as perfect a whole, as if the rich and exuberant fancy of a Titian had been harmonized by the chastely correct judgment of a Michael Angelo. Lady Eltondale had been right in believing, that Mr. Hammersley would not venture to admire the superior charms of Miss Seymour, till they had become current by receiving the die of fashion; and, as he found but little pleasure in the comparatively quiet society at Eltondale, he pleaded an indispensable engagement, and set off for town a few days after Selina's arrival. Nor did Sir Robert and Lady Hammersley protract their stay much longer. Early in January they returned to Bath, and their places at Eltondale were almost immediately filled by other visitors; for Lady Eltondale could never bear to be alone; and though on account of her brother's recent death she forbore giving any very public entertainments, or receiving the most dissipated of her acquaintances, yet a constant succession of parties filled up to her, in some degree, the charm of a winter's seclusion; and the gay and fashionable manners of several of her guests served to introduce Selina to those frivolous amusements, which are generally the outposts to more reprehensible pursuits.