It is mortifying to spend money for nothing; but it is infinitely more mortifying to be at the expense of a prodigious deal of condescension to answer at last no good or self-gratifying end. This was the loss and the mortification which the Countess of Smatterton now suffered, or at least anticipated. Instead therefore of the usual courteous manner which her ladyship had hitherto manifested towards the niece of the late rector of Smatterton, there was coldness, haughtiness, and silence. The Earl of Smatterton had not so quick a perception as the Countess, and he had not anticipated any disappointment in the return of Penelope's father to England. His lordship still continued to sport the condescensions, and he did not take any notice whatever of her ladyship's fit of ill-humour. When stupid men are henpecked they often receive more pity than they need, for they are very frequently insensible to many of the ill-humours of their mates. Now, as the Countess was silent, an opportunity was offered for his lordship to talk. Happy would it be if all married people would talk only one at a time. "And so, Miss Primrose," thus spake the Earl of Smatterton, "I find that you expect shortly to see your father. It is a long while, I think, since you have seen him?" "It is sixteen years, my lord," answered Penelope. "Sixteen years!" repeated his lordship: "you will hardly recollect him. The meeting, I dare say, will be very interesting. And may I ask, what time in the day you expect your father?" "I fear it will be late in the day, my lord, for my father will not arrive in London till twelve or one o'clock. His letter tells me that he will call soon after that time at your lordship's house in town, where he supposes I now am." "He will be disappointed at not finding you in town," said Lord Smatterton. There was much truth in this last remark of his lordship's. The Earl was somewhat remarkable for the intense and unquestionable truth of many of his remarks. He was by no means given to what is called romancing. Indeed, so exquisitely and unquestionably true was this observation, that Penelope thought it needed not the corroboration of her assent, but that it must carry conviction to every mind. And so it did; and especially to the mind of the Countess, who immediately observed: "Perhaps it may be agreeable to Miss Primrose to go to town early to-morrow morning for the purpose of meeting her father."