But what was my surprise to perceive her familiarly afterwards whispering to one, curtsying to another, telling a third how unfortunate she had been in not being at home when she did her the honor of calling on her! I could not help testifying my astonishment at her conduct!--She laughed, and said--I am civil to those people, as the Indians worship the devil--_for fear_. Besides, said she, the last Lady has a rich brother lately come from India. In days of yore women married for a title, a fine seat, etc.--A title is very agreeable, but a _fine seat_, the very idea of it gives me the vapours! I would rather marry a London justice than a lord lieutenant of the county. It did very well formerly (when people were so dull as to be able to bear their own thoughts) to live moping at an old family place; but manners are _now_ too much improved for _that_: and a nabob's cash, without the appendages of the seats of his ancestors, will suffice to carry me one season to Spa, another to Tunbridge, etc. etc.--In marrying a nabob, there is a moral security of never being buried in the country. I am no _devot_, but I believe there is such a thing as conscience; and, as few of these continental heroes can bear to listen to their silent monitor--it induces them to lead _exactly the kind of life I like_--to _exclude reflection_! I answered, that she was too severe; I made no doubt but that a man may get rich across the Atlantic, without wounding his honor, and all the finer feelings of humanity by peculation and extortion, which leaves the possessors more wretched than pale-eyed poverty with all its whole train of meagre haunts. To change the conversation, I said, so madam, I find you intend to marry. Yes, said she, _to be sure_--But I hope in god I shall have no children to _spoil my shape_. I cannot here refrain from telling you a circumstance I saw occur myself. We dined at Lady ----'s; I observed a lady change colour--Mrs. ---- whispered to her, that ladies in her situation (for she appeared with child) were apt to be _indisposed_. She seemed hurt at the supposition, and denied any thing was the matter with her! As by the conversation it appeared she had _already had children_, I was at a loss to account for _her conduct_. Colonel H----, her husband, appeared very uneasy--an inquisitive look of kindness, a tender affectionate concern, were strongly depicted on his manly countenance--his anxiety appeared to me to proceed from that fond attachment arising from loving another better than one's self. I entered into his ideas, contemplated her happiness, and as he is not a very young (though agreeable) man, the apparent attention he paid her confirmed me in what you know was always my sentiments, that _such_ make the _best husbands_. Desirous of relieving his anxiety by contributing to her ease, I begged she would permit me to accompany her to another apartment.