“These vulgarians in buckram,” said Caroline, “have grown from two to two hundred in a trice, in your imagination, Rosamond: but consider that old Panton, against whom you have such an invincible horror, will, now that he has quarrelled with Erasmus, probably very soon eat himself out of the world; and I don’t see that you are bound to Mr. Gresham’s dead partner’s widow--is this your only objection to Mr. Gresham?” “My only objection! Oh, no! don’t flatter yourself that in killing old Panton you have struck off all my objections. Independently of vulgar relations or connexions, and the disparity of age, my grand objection remains. But I will address myself to my mother, for you are not a good person for judging of prejudices--you really don’t understand them, my dear Caroline; one might as well talk to Socrates. You go to work with logic, and get one between the horns of a wicked dilemma directly--I will talk to my mother; she understands prejudices.” “Your mother thanks you,” said Mrs. Percy, smiling, “for your opinion of her understanding.” “My mother is the most indulgent of mothers, and, besides, the most candid, and therefore I know she will confess to me that she herself cherishes a little darling prejudice in favour of birth and family, a _leetle_ prejudice--well covered by good-nature and politeness--but still a secret, invincible antipathy to low-born people.” “To low-bred people, I grant.” “Oh, mother! you are _upon your candour_--my dear mother, not only low-bred but low-born: confess you have a--what shall I call it?--an _indisposition_ towards low-born people.” “Since you put me upon my candour,” said Mrs. Percy, “I am afraid I must confess that I am conscious of a little of the aristocratic weakness you impute to me.” “Impute!--No imputation, in my opinion,” cried Rosamond. “I do not think it any weakness.” “But I do,” said Mrs. Percy--“I consider it as a weakness; and bitterly should I reproach myself, if I saw any weakness, any prejudice of mine, influence my children injuriously in the most material circumstance of their lives, and where their happiness is at stake. So, my dear Rosamond, let me intreat--” “Oh! mother, don’t let the tears come into your eyes; and, without any intreaties, I will do just as you please.”