PoorMr。Esmondfeltratherfrightened，andtoldatruth，whichwasneverthelessanentirefalsehood。\"Uponmyhonor，\"sayshe，\"I
havenotevenreadtheSpectatorofthismorning。\"Norhadhe，forthatwasnottheSpectator，butashamnewspaperputinitsplace。
Shewentonreading:herfaceratherflushedassheread。\"No，\"
shesays，\"Ithinkyoucouldn\'thavewrittenit。IthinkitmusthavebeenMr。Steelewhenhewasdrunk——andafraidofhishorridvulgarwife。WheneverIseeanenormouscomplimenttoawoman，andsomeoutrageouspanegyricaboutfemalevirtue，IalwaysfeelsurethattheCaptainandhisbetterhalfhavefallenoutover—night，andthathehasbeenbroughthometipsy，orhasbeenfoundoutin——\"
\"Beatrix！\"criestheLadyCastlewood。