Miss Margland raised her head triumphantly. This was precisely such a circumstance as she flattered herself would prove decisive. The Baronet, equally pleased, returned her nod of congratulation, and nodding himself towards Edgar, said; 'you're blown, you see! but what matters secrets about nothing? which, Lord help me, I never knew how to keep.' Edgar was now still more disconcerted, and, from mere distress what to say or do, bid Jacob go on. 'Why then, they said a deal more, how pretty she was, he continued, but they did not know how it would turn out, for the young lady was so much admired, that her husband had need look sharp after her; and if--' 'What complete impertinence!' cried Edgar, walking about the room; 'I really can listen no longer.' 'If he had done wisely, says the lady of the house, he would have left the professed beauty, and taken that pretty Camilla.' Edgar surprized, stopt short; this seemed to him less impertinent. 'Camilla is a charming creature, says she; though she may want a little watching too; but so does every thing that is worth having.' That woman does not want discernment, thought Edgar, nor she does not want taste.--I can never totally dislike her, if she does such justice to Camilla. He now again invited Jacob to proceed; but Indiana, with a pouting lip, walked out of the room, and Miss Margland said, there was not need to be hearing him all night. Jacob, therefore, when no more either interrupted or encouraged, soon finished his narrative. Mrs. Arlbery, amused by watching Dr. Orkborne, had insisted, for an experiment, that Jacob should not return to the coach till he was missed and called for; and so intense was the application of the Doctor to what he was composing, that this did not happen till the whole family had dined; Jacob and the coachman, at the invitation of Mrs. Arlbery, having partaken of the servants' fare, equally pleased with the regale and the joke. Dr. Orkborne then, suddenly recollecting himself, demanded why the young ladies were so late, and was much discomposed and astonished when he heard they were gone. Mrs. Arlbery invited him into the house, and offered him refreshments, while she ordered water and a feed of corn for the horses; but he only fretted a little, and then went on again with his studies. Sir Hugh now sent some cold dinner into the Doctor's room, and declared he should always approve his niece's acquaintance with Mrs. Arlbery, as she was so kind to his servants and his animals. CHAPTER VI _An Author's Idea of Order_