"I want to know, Honourable Mister Augustus Headerton"--(the lady always gave the full name when addressing her husband; she used to say it was all she got for her money),--"I want to know, Honourable Mister Augustus Headerton, the reason why the music master's lessons, given to the Misses Headerton (they were blessed with seven sweet pledges of affection), have not been paid for? I desired the steward to see to it, and you know I _depend_ on him to settle these matters." The Honourable Mrs. Augustus Headerton rang the bell--"Send Martin up." "Mister Martin," the lady began, "what is the reason that Mr. Langi's account has not been paid?" "My master, ma'am knows that I have been anxious for him to look over the accounts; the goings-out are so very great, and the comings-in, as far as I know"--The Honourable Mister Augustus Headerton spilt some of the whiskey-punch he was drinking, over a splendid hearth-rug, which drew the lady's attention from what would have been an unpleasant _eclaircissement_. "I cannot understand why difficulties should arise. I am certain I brought a fortune large enough for all extravagance," was the lady's constant remark when expenditure was mentioned. Years pass over the heads of the young--and they grow old; and over the heads of fools--but they never grow wise. The Honourable Mister and Mistress Augustus Headerton were examples of this truth;--their children grew up around them--but could derive no support from their parent root. The mother had _depended_ on governesses and masters for the education of her girls--and on their beauty, connexions, or accomplishments, to procure them husbands. The father did not deem the labours of study fit occupation for the sons of an ancient house:--"_Depend_ upon it," he would say, "they'll all do well with my connexions--they will be able to command what they please." The Honourable Mistress Augustus could not now boast of a full purse, for they had long been living on the memory of their once ample fortune. The Honourable Mister Augustus Headerton died, in the forty-fifth year of his age, of inflammation, caught in an old limekiln, where he was concealed to avoid an arrest for the sum of 180 guineas, for black Nell, the famous filly, who won the cup on the Curragh of Kildare--purchased in his name, but without his knowledge, by his second son, the pride of the family--commonly called dashing Dick. All I know further of the Honourable Mistress Augustus Headerton is, that "She played at cards, and died." Miss Georgiana--the beauty, and greatest fool of the family, who _depended_ on her face as a fortune, did get a husband--an old, rich West India planter, and eloped, six months after marriage, with an officer of dragoons. Miss Celestina was really clever and accomplished. "Use her abilities for her own support!" Oh, no! not for worlds--Too proud to work, but not too proud to beg, she _depended_ on her relations, and played toady to all who would.