"Well, you astonish me," said Mr Darnley the younger; "I could not have thought that a young lady, brought up by such an exemplary and virtuous man as the late Dr Greendale, should ever condescend to live upon those terms with the first nobleman in the kingdom." "Oh, sir," replied the knowing critic, "you do not understand the heart, especially the female heart. There is something in title and splendour so fascinating to the weaker sex, that few can resist its influence. I have observed and studied the human mind in all its various attitudes, and I have lived in the world long enough to cease to be astonished at anything I hear or see. In such an outlandish place as India you see nothing and learn nothing. London is the only place where the human character can be thoroughly and properly studied." Much more to the same purpose did the fluent cousin of the new rector of Smatterton say to the son of the rector of Neverden. But Robert Darnley heard him and heeded him not. Deeply did the intelligence concerning Penelope sink into his mind, and painfully did he revolve the idle gossip of the loyal and religious critic, who had properly and thoroughly studied human nature, in his lodgings in Fetter lane, Holborn. CHAPTER V. The day which followed immediately after the above-mentioned conversation, was destined for a grand dinner party at the mansion of Sir George Aimwell, Bart. Preparations were made for a splendid entertainment. It was not an easy matter to get together a large party in that neighbourhood without admitting to the table some individuals of dubious dignity. There was, for instance, the equivocal Mr Kipperson, at once landlord and tenant, gentleman and farmer; but then he was so zealous a friend to the interest of agriculture. He was so thoroughly enlightened on the corn question, that the great men of Smatterton and Neverden could not but respect him. Sir George Aimwell also liked Mr Kipperson, because he was a bad shot, and had so ardent a zeal against poachers. This party was assembled, among other objects, for the purpose of welcoming to England the son of the rector of Neverden. But Robert Darnley was by no means in spirits for the enjoyment of festivity. He was sorry for what he had heard from Zephaniah Pringle, and he was angry that he was sorry, and then again sorry that he was angry.