Knifton，withtheirgroombehindthem，ridinguptotheBlackCottage。Itwaspartoftheyounglady’skindnessnevertoneglectanopportunityofcomingtopaymeafriendlyvisit，andherhusbandwasgenerallywillingtoaccompanyherforhiswife’ssake。Imademybestcourtesy，therefore，withagreatdealofpleasure，butwithnoparticularsurpriseatseeingthem。Theydismountedandenteredthecottage，laughingandtalkingingreatspirits。Isoonheardthattheywereridingtothesamecountytownforwhichmyfatherwasboundandthattheyintendedtostaywithsomefriendsthereforafewdays，andtoreturnhomeonhorseback，astheywentout。
Iheardthis，andIalsodiscoveredthattheyhadbeenhavinganargument，injest，aboutmoney—matters，astheyrodealongtoourcottage。Mrs。Kniftonhadaccusedherhusbandofinveterateextravagance，andofneverbeingabletogooutwithmoneyinhispocketwithoutspendingitall，ifhepossiblycould，beforehegothomeagain。Mr。Kniftonhadlaughinglydefendedhimselfbydeclaringthatallhispocket—moneywentinpresentsforhiswife，andthat，ifhespentitlavishly，itwasunderhersoleinfluenceandsuperintendence。
\"WearegoingtoClivertonnow，\"hesaidtoMrs。Knifton，namingthecountytown，andwarminghimselfatourpoorfirejustaspleasantlyasifhehadbeenstandingonhisowngrandhearth。
\"YouwillstoptoadmireeveryprettythingineveryoneoftheClivertonshop—windows；Ishallhandyouthepurse，andyouwillgoinandbuy。Whenwehavereachedhomeagain，andyouhavehadtimetogettiredofyourpurchases，youwillclaspyourhandsinamazement，anddeclarethatyouarequiteshockedatmyhabitsofinveterateextravagance。Iamonlythebankerwhokeepsthemoney；you，mylove，arethespendthriftwhothrowsitallaway！\"
\"AmI，sir？\"saidMrs。Knifton，withalookofmockindignation。