"In that class, certainly;" said Mr. Gage. "Well, but, George, what is to be done?" asked Harriet, suddenly. Now, if she ever desired Mr. Gage to exert himself to the utmost in her service, she had only to call him George. The effect was cabalistic. "I must get rid of Thompson, you see," he said, in a deprecating manner. "The man never could wander about with a wife and children at his heels." "It is very odd how my maids always do marry," said Harriet. "One would think Aunt Singleton kept them close enough. You remember, Anne?" Yes--he remembered Anne, perfectly; and it was very probable that Anne remembered him, for he had often given her a guinea to convey flowers and notes to her young lady's dressing-table, in the days of their early courtship. "Well! two have actually married since Anne's time," said Harriet, in an injured tone; "and now Charlotte, whom I always did consider rather a plain woman; she must needs do just the same." "It is too annoying," said Mr. Gage, examining the fringe of Harriet's beautiful shawl. "I am very sorry you should be so put out of your way." "Shall you take Thompson away with you, on Thursday?" said Harriet, looking up in his face. "Oh! I think I had better pay him off at once, and have done with him," said Mr. Gage. "But I am interested for the bride and bridegroom," said Harriet, "I want to know what they had better do." "Thompson should get into a gentleman's family, where his wife could be lodge-keeper," said Mr. Gage. "I'll tell you what," said Harriet, who had observed Mr. Gage's arm on the back of her chair, and whose restless spirit delighted in mischief; "I will ask that dear Mr. Humphries to look out for such a place. I am sure he will use his best endeavours; kind, good creature that he is." "Then you have no farther commands with me," said Mr. Gage, rising directly, and preparing to leave the room. "Not any; only you won't be very angry with poor Thompson!" said Harriet, her eyes flashing with merriment as the door closed upon Mr. Gage. "Come here to me, Margaret, and don't shake your head at me in that way, for I will not bear it." CHAPTER VIII. _El. Lo._ Mistress, I came to see you. _Lady._ That's happily dispatched--the next! _El. Lo._ To take leave of you. _Lady._ You need not have despaired of that, nor have used so many circumstances to win me to give you leave to perform my commands. Is there a third? _El. Lo._ Yes! I had a third, had you been apt to hear it. _Lady._ I? never after--Fast, good servant, fast. _El. Lo._ 'Twas to intreat you to hear Reason. _Lady._ Most willingly--have you brought one can speak it? _El. Lo._ Lastly, it is to kindle in that barren heart Love and Forgiveness. THE SCORNFUL LADY. "I am sorry you are going to-morrow," said Mr. Humphries the next morning at breakfast to Mr. Gage; "I wanted you to see my Arab."