"Well, Mr Rainscourt, it must, I suppose, be as you decide: but neither Emily nor I are very well equipped in our wardrobes and you will not be exactly competent to execute our commissions." "And therefore shall execute none." "Do you, then, mean to leave us here in rags and beggary, while you are amusing yourself in London?" replied Mrs Rainscourt, with asperity. "With your altered circumstances, you will have no want of society, either male or _female_," continued the lady, with an emphasis upon the last word--"and a wife will probably be an encumbrance." "Certainly not such a kind and affectionate one as you have proved, my dear," replied the gentleman, sarcastically; "nevertheless I must decline the pleasure of your company till I have time to look about me a little." "Perhaps, Mr Rainscourt, now that you will be able to afford it, you will prefer a separate establishment? If so, I am willing to accede to any proposition you may be inclined to make." "That's a very sensible remark of yours, my dear, and shall receive due consideration." "The sooner the better, sir," replied the piqued lady, as Mr Rainscourt quitted the room. "My dear child," said Mrs Rainscourt to her daughter, "you see how cruelly your father treats me. He is a bad man, and you must never pay attention to what he says." "Papa told me just the same of you, mamma," replied the girl, "yesterday morning, when you were walking in the garden." "Did he! The wretch, to set my own child against me!" cried Mrs Rainscourt, who had just been guilty of the very same offence which had raised her choler against her husband. CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. The Queen of night, whose vast command Rules all the sea, and half the land; And over moist and crazy brains, In high spring-tides at midnight reigns. HUDIBRAS.