SometimesEsmondwouldthinktherewashope。Thenagainhewouldbeplaguedwithdespair，atsomeimpertinenceorcoquetryofhismistress。Fordaystheywouldbelikebrotherandsister，orthedearestfriends——she，simple，fond，andcharming——he，happybeyondmeasureathergoodbehavior。Butthiswouldallvanishonasudden。Eitherhewouldbetoopressing，andhinthislove，whenshewouldrebuffhiminstantly，andgivehisvanityaboxontheear;orhewouldbejealous，andwithperfectgoodreason，ofsomenewadmirerthathadsprungup，orsomerichyounggentlemannewlyarrivedinthetown，thatthisincorrigibleflirtwouldsethernetsandbaitstodrawin。IfEsmondremonstrated，thelittlerebelwouldsay——\"Whoareyou？Ishallgomyownway，sirrah，andthatwayistowardsahusband，andIdon\'twantYOUontheway。I
amforyourbetters，Colonel，foryourbetters:doyouhearthat？
Youmightdoifyouhadanestateandwereyounger;onlyeightyearsolderthanI，yousay！pish，youareahundredyearsolder。
Youareanold，oldGraveairs，andIshouldmakeyoumiserable，thatwouldbetheonlycomfortIshouldhaveinmarryingyou。Butyouhavenotmoneyenoughtokeepacatdecentlyafteryouhavepaidyourmanhiswages，andyourlandladyherbill。DoyouthinkIamgoingtoliveinalodging，andturnthemuttonatastringwhilstyourhonornursesthebaby？Fiddlestick，andwhydidyounotgetthisnonsenseknockedoutofyourheadwhenyouwereinthewars？Youarecomebackmoredismalanddrearythanever。Youandmammaarefitforeachother。YoumightbeDarbyandJoan，andplaycribbagetotheendofyourlives。\"
\"Atleastyouowntoyourworldliness，mypoorTrix，\"sayshermother。