wouldfainpersuademyselfwererathertheeffectofhereducationthanherdisposition:shehadneverbeenperfectlytaughtthedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong；shehad，likeherbrothersandsisters，beensuffered，frominfancy，totyrannizeovernurses，governesses，andservants；shehadnotbeentaughttomoderateherdesires，tocontrolhertemperorbridleherwill，ortosacrificeherownpleasureforthegoodofothers。Hertemperbeingnaturallygood，shewasneverviolentormorose，butfromconstantindulgence，andhabitualscornofreason，shewasoftentestyandcapricious；hermindhadneverbeencultivated:herintellect，atbest，wassomewhatshallow；shepossessedconsiderablevivacity，somequicknessofperception，andsometalentformusicandtheacquisitionoflanguages，buttillfifteenshehadtroubledherselftoacquirenothing；-thentheloveofdisplayhadrousedherfaculties，andinducedhertoapplyherself，butonlytothemoreshowyaccomplishments。AndwhenIcameitwasthesame:
everythingwasneglectedbutFrench，German，music，singing，dancing，fancy-work，andalittledrawing-suchdrawingasmightproducethegreatestshowwiththesmallestlabour，andtheprincipalpartsofwhichweregenerallydonebyme。Formusicandsinging，besidesmyoccasionalinstructions，shehadtheattendanceofthebestmasterthecountryafforded；andintheseaccomplishments，aswellasindancing，shecertainlyattainedgreatproficiency。Tomusic，indeed，shedevotedtoomuchofhertime，as，governessthoughIwas，Ifrequentlytoldher；buthermotherthoughtthatifSHElikedit，sheCOULDnotgivetoomuchtimetotheacquisitionofsoattractiveanart。Offancy-workI
knewnothingbutwhatIgatheredfrommypupilandmyownobservation；butnosoonerwasIinitiated，thanshemademeusefulintwentydifferentways:allthetediouspartsofherworkwereshiftedontomyshoulders；suchasstretchingtheframes，stitchinginthecanvas，sortingthewoolsandsilks，puttinginthegrounds，countingthestitches，rectifyingmistakes，andfinishingthepiecesshewastiredof。
Atsixteen，MissMurraywassomethingofaromp，yetnotmoresothanisnaturalandallowableforagirlofthatage，butatseventeen，thatpropensity，likeallotherthings，begantogivewaytotherulingpassion，andsoonwasswallowedupintheall-
absorbingambitiontoattractanddazzletheothersex。Butenoughofher:nowletusturntohersister。
MissMatildaMurraywasaveritablehoyden，ofwhomlittleneedbesaid。Shewasabouttwoyearsandahalfyoungerthanhersister；
herfeatureswerelarger，hercomplexionmuchdarker。Shemightpossiblymakeahandsomewoman；butshewasfartoobig-bonedandawkwardevertobecalledaprettygirl，andatpresentshecaredlittleaboutit。Rosalieknewallhercharms，andthoughtthemevengreaterthantheywere，andvaluedthemmorehighlythansheoughttohavedone，hadtheybeenthreetimesasgreat；Matildathoughtshewaswellenough，butcaredlittleaboutthematter；
stilllessdidshecareaboutthecultivationofhermind，andtheacquisitionofornamentalaccomplishments。Themannerinwhichshelearntherlessonsandpractisedhermusicwascalculatedtodriveanygovernesstodespair。Shortandeasyashertaskswere，ifdoneatall，theywereslurredover，atanytimeandinanyway；
butgenerallyattheleastconvenienttimes，andinthewayleastbeneficialtoherself，andleastsatisfactorytome:theshorthalf-hourofpractisingwashorriblystrummedthrough；she，meantime，unsparinglyabusingme，eitherforinterruptingherwithcorrections，orfornotrectifyinghermistakesbeforetheyweremade，orsomethingequallyunreasonable。Onceortwice，Iventuredtoremonstratewithherseriouslyforsuchirrationalconduct；butoneachofthoseoccasions，Ireceivedsuchreprehensiveexpostulationsfromhermother，asconvincedmethat，ifIwishedtokeepthesituation，ImustevenletMissMatildagooninherownway。
Whenherlessonswereover，however，herill-humourwasgenerallyovertoo:whileridingherspiritedpony，orrompingwiththedogsorherbrothersandsister，butespeciallywithherdearbrotherJohn，shewasashappyasalark。Asananimal，Matildawasallright，fulloflife，vigour，andactivity；asanintelligentbeing，shewasbarbarouslyignorant，indocile，carelessandirrational；
and，consequently，verydistressingtoonewhohadthetaskofcultivatingherunderstanding，reforminghermanners，andaidinghertoacquirethoseornamentalattainmentswhich，unlikehersister，shedespisedasmuchastherest。Hermotherwaspartlyawareofherdeficiencies，andgavememanyalectureastohowI
shouldtrytoformhertastes，andendeavourtorouseandcherishherdormantvanity；and，byinsinuating，skilfulflattery，towinherattentiontothedesiredobjects-whichIwouldnotdo；andhowIshouldprepareandsmooththepathoflearningtillshecouldglidealongitwithouttheleastexertiontoherself:whichI
couldnot，fornothingcanbetaughttoanypurposewithoutsomelittleexertiononthepartofthelearner。
Asamoralagent，Matildawasreckless，headstrong，violent，andunamenabletoreason。Oneproofofthedeplorablestateofhermindwas，thatfromherfather\'sexampleshehadlearnedtoswearlikeatrooper。Hermotherwasgreatlyshockedatthe\'unlady-liketrick，\'andwondered\'howshehadpickeditup。\'\'Butyoucansoonbreakherofit，MissGrey，\'saidshe:\'itisonlyahabit；andifyouwilljustgentlyremindhereverytimeshedoesso，Iamsureshewillsoonlayitaside。\'Inotonly\'gentlyreminded\'her，I
triedtoimpressuponherhowwrongitwas，andhowdistressingtotheearsofdecentpeople:butallinvain:Iwasonlyansweredbyacarelesslaugh，and，\'Oh，MissGrey，howshockedyouare!
I\'msoglad!\'or，\'Well!Ican\'thelpit；papashouldn\'thavetaughtme:Ilearneditallfromhim；andmaybeabitfromthecoachman。\'
HerbrotherJohn，ALIASMasterMurray，wasaboutelevenwhenI
came:afine，stout，healthyboy，frankandgood-naturedinthemain，andmighthavebeenadecentladhadhebeenproperlyeducated；butnowhewasasroughasayoungbear，boisterous，unruly，unprincipled，untaught，unteachable-atleast，foragovernessunderhismother\'seye。Hismastersatschoolmightbeabletomanagehimbetter-fortoschoolhewassent，greatlytomyrelief，inthecourseofayear；inastate，itistrue，ofscandalousignoranceastoLatin，aswellasthemoreusefulthoughmoreneglectedthings:andthis，doubtless，wouldallbelaidtotheaccountofhiseducationhavingbeenentrustedtoanignorantfemaleteacher，whohadpresumedtotakeinhandwhatshewaswhollyincompetenttoperform。Iwasnotdeliveredfromhisbrothertillfulltwelvemonthsafter，whenhealsowasdespatchedinthesamestateofdisgracefulignoranceastheformer。
MasterCharleswashismother\'speculiardarling。HewaslittlemorethanayearyoungerthanJohn，butmuchsmaller，paler，andlessactiveandrobust；apettish，cowardly，capricious，selfishlittlefellow，onlyactiveindoingmischief，andonlycleverininventingfalsehoods:notsimplytohidehisfaults，but，inmeremaliciouswantonness，tobringodiumuponothers。Infact，MasterCharleswasaverygreatnuisancetome:itwasatrialofpatiencetolivewithhimpeaceably；towatchoverhimwasworse；
andtoteachhim，orpretendtoteachhim，wasinconceivable。
Attenyearsold，hecouldnotreadcorrectlytheeasiestlineinthesimplestbook；andas，accordingtohismother\'sprinciple，hewastobetoldeveryword，beforehehadtimetohesitateorexamineitsorthography，andnevereventobeinformed，asastimulanttoexertion，thatotherboysweremoreforwardthanhe，itisnotsurprisingthathemadebutlittleprogressduringthetwoyearsI
hadchargeofhiseducation。HisminuteportionsofLatingrammar，&；c。，weretoberepeatedovertohim，tillhechosetosayheknewthem，andthenhewastobehelpedtosaythem；ifhemademistakesinhislittleeasysumsinarithmetic，theyweretobeshownhimatonce，andthesumdoneforhim，insteadofhisbeinglefttoexercisehisfacultiesinfindingthemouthimself；sothat，ofcourse，hetooknopainstoavoidmistakes，butfrequentlysetdownhisfiguresatrandom，withoutanycalculationatall。
Ididnotinvariablyconfinemyselftotheserules:itwasagainstmyconsciencetodoso；butIseldomcouldventuretodeviatefromthemintheslightestdegree，withoutincurringthewrathofmylittlepupil，andsubsequentlyofhismamma；towhomhewouldrelatemytransgressionsmaliciouslyexaggerated，oradornedwithembellishmentsofhisown；andoften，inconsequence，wasIonthepointoflosingorresigningmysituation。But，fortheirsakesathome，Ismotheredmyprideandsuppressedmyindignation，andmanagedtostruggleontillmylittletormentorwasdespatchedtoschool；hisfatherdeclaringthathomeeducationwas\'nogo；forhim，itwasplain；hismotherspoiledhimoutrageously，andhisgovernesscouldmakenohandofhimatall。\'
AfewmoreobservationsaboutHortonLodgeanditsongoings，andI
havedonewithdrydescriptionforthepresent。Thehousewasaveryrespectableone；superiortoMr。Bloomfield\'s，bothinage，size，andmagnificence:thegardenwasnotsotastefullylaidout；
butinsteadofthesmooth-shavenlawn，theyoungtreesguardedbypalings，thegroveofupstartpoplars，andtheplantationoffirs，therewasawidepark，stockedwithdeer，andbeautifiedbyfineoldtrees。Thesurroundingcountryitselfwaspleasant，asfarasfertilefields，flourishingtrees，quietgreenlanes，andsmilinghedgeswithwild-flowersscatteredalongtheirbanks，couldmakeit；butitwasdepressinglyflattoonebornandnurturedamongtheruggedhillsof。
Weweresituatednearlytwomilesfromthevillagechurch，and，consequently，thefamilycarriagewasputinrequisitioneverySundaymorning，andsometimesoftener。Mr。andMrs。Murraygenerallythoughtitsufficienttoshowthemselvesatchurchonceinthecourseoftheday；butfrequentlythechildrenpreferredgoingasecondtimetowanderingaboutthegroundsallthedaywithnothingtodo。Ifsomeofmypupilschosetowalkandtakemewiththem，itwaswellforme；forotherwisemypositioninthecarriagewastobecrushedintothecornerfarthestfromtheopenwindow，andwithmybacktothehorses:apositionwhichinvariablymademesick；andifIwerenotactuallyobligedtoleavethechurchinthemiddleoftheservice，mydevotionsweredisturbedwithafeelingoflanguorandsickliness，andthetormentingfearofitsbecomingworse:andadepressingheadachewasgenerallymycompanionthroughouttheday，whichwouldotherwisehavebeenoneofwelcomerest，andholy，calmenjoyment。
\'It\'sveryodd，MissGrey，thatthecarriageshouldalwaysmakeyousick:itnevermakesME，\'remarkedMissMatilda，\'Normeeither，\'saidhersister；\'butIdaresayitwould，ifI
satwhereshedoes-suchanasty，horridplace，MissGrey；I
wonderhowyoucanbearit!\'
\'Iamobligedtobearit，sincenochoiceisleftme，\'-Imighthaveanswered；butintendernessfortheirfeelingsIonlyreplied，-\'Oh!itisbutashortway，andifIamnotsickinchurch，I
don\'tmindit。\'
IfIwerecalledupontogiveadescriptionoftheusualdivisionsandarrangementsoftheday，Ishouldfinditaverydifficultmatter。Ihadallmymealsintheschoolroomwithmypupils，atsuchtimesassuitedtheirfancy:sometimestheywouldringfordinnerbeforeitwashalfcooked；sometimestheywouldkeepitwaitingonthetableforaboveanhour，andthenbeoutofhumourbecausethepotatoeswerecold，andthegravycoveredwithcakesofsolidfat；sometimestheywouldhaveteaatfour；frequently，theywouldstormattheservantsbecauseitwasnotinpreciselyatfive；andwhentheseorderswereobeyed，bywayofencouragementtopunctuality，theywouldkeepitonthetabletillsevenoreight。
Theirhoursofstudyweremanagedinmuchthesameway；myjudgmentorconveniencewasneveronceconsulted。SometimesMatildaandJohnwoulddetermine\'togetalltheplaguybusinessoverbeforebreakfast，\'andsendthemaidtocallmeupathalf-pastfive，withoutanyscrupleorapology；sometimes，Iwastoldtobereadypreciselyatsix，and，havingdressedinahurry，camedowntoanemptyroom，andafterwaitingalongtimeinsuspense，discoveredthattheyhadchangedtheirminds，andwerestillinbed；or，perhaps，ifitwereafinesummermorning，Brownwouldcometotellmethattheyoungladiesandgentlemenhadtakenaholiday，andweregoneout；andthenIwaskeptwaitingforbreakfasttillIwasalmostreadytofaint:theyhavingfortifiedthemselveswithsomethingbeforetheywent。
Oftentheywoulddotheirlessonsintheopenair；whichIhadnothingtosayagainst:exceptthatIfrequentlycaughtcoldbysittingonthedampgrass，orfromexposuretotheeveningdew，orsomeinsidiousdraught，whichseemedtohavenoinjuriouseffectonthem。Itwasquiterightthattheyshouldbehardy；yet，surely，theymighthavebeentaughtsomeconsiderationforotherswhowerelessso。ButImustnotblamethemforwhatwas，perhaps，myownfault；forInevermadeanyparticularobjectionstosittingwheretheypleased；foolishlychoosingtorisktheconsequences，ratherthantroublethemformyconvenience。Theirindecorousmannerofdoingtheirlessonswasquiteasremarkableasthecapricedisplayedintheirchoiceoftimeandplace。Whilereceivingmyinstructions，orrepeatingwhattheyhadlearned，theywouldloungeuponthesofa，lieontherug，stretch，yawn，talktoeachother，orlookoutofthewindow；whereas，Icouldnotsomuchasstirthefire，orpickupthehandkerchiefIhaddropped，withoutbeingrebukedforinattentionbyoneofmypupils，ortoldthat\'mammawouldnotlikemetobesocareless。\'
Theservants，seeinginwhatlittleestimationthegovernesswasheldbybothparentsandchildren，regulatedtheirbehaviourbythesamestandard。Ihavefrequentlystoodupforthem，attheriskofsomeinjurytomyself，againstthetyrannyandinjusticeoftheiryoungmastersandmistresses；andIalwaysendeavouredtogivethemaslittletroubleaspossible:buttheyentirelyneglectedmycomfort，despisedmyrequests，andslightedmydirections。Allservants，Iamconvinced，wouldnothavedoneso；butdomesticsingeneral，beingignorantandlittleaccustomedtoreasonandreflection，aretooeasilycorruptedbythecarelessnessandbadexampleofthoseabovethem；andthese，Ithink，werenotofthebestordertobeginwith。
IsometimesfeltmyselfdegradedbythelifeIled，andashamedofsubmittingtosomanyindignities；andsometimesIthoughtmyselfafoolforcaringsomuchaboutthem，andfearedImustbesadlywantinginChristianhumility，orthatcharitywhich\'sufferethlongandiskind，seekethnotherown，isnoteasilyprovoked，bearethallthings，endurethallthings。\'
But，withtimeandpatience，mattersbegantobeslightlyameliorated:slowly，itistrue，andalmostimperceptibly；butI
gotridofmymalepupilsthatwasnotriflingadvantage，andthegirls，asIintimatedbeforeconcerningoneofthem，becamealittlelessinsolent，andbegantoshowsomesymptomsofesteem。
\'MissGreywasaqueercreature:sheneverflattered，anddidnotpraisethemhalfenough；butwhenevershedidspeakfavourablyofthem，oranythingbelongingtothem，theycouldbequitesureherapprobationwassincere。Shewasveryobliging，quiet，andpeaceableinthemain，butthereweresomethingsthatputheroutoftemper:theydidnotmuchcareforthat，tobesure，butstillitwasbettertokeepherintune；aswhenshewasinagoodhumourshewouldtalktothem，andbeveryagreeableandamusingsometimes，inherway；whichwasquitedifferenttomamma\'s，butstillverywellforachange。Shehadherownopinionsoneverysubject，andkeptsteadilytothem-verytiresomeopinionstheyoftenwere；asshewasalwaysthinkingofwhatwasrightandwhatwaswrong，andhadastrangereverenceformattersconnectedwithreligion，andanunaccountablelikingtogoodpeople。\'
chapter08
CHAPTERVIII-THE\'COMINGOUT\'
ATeighteen，MissMurraywastoemergefromthequietobscurityoftheschoolroomintothefullblazeofthefashionableworld-asmuchofit，atleast，ascouldbehadoutofLondon；forherpapacouldnotbepersuadedtoleavehisruralpleasuresandpursuits，evenforafewweeks\'residenceintown。ShewastomakeherdebutonthethirdofJanuary，atamagnificentball，whichhermammaproposedtogivetoallthenobilityandchoicegentryofO-anditsneighbourhoodfortwentymilesround。Ofcourse，shelookedforwardtoitwiththewildestimpatience，andthemostextravagantanticipationsofdelight。
\'MissGrey，\'saidshe，oneevening，amonthbeforetheall-
importantday，asIwasperusingalongandextremelyinterestingletterofmysister\'s-whichIhadjustglancedatinthemorningtoseethatitcontainednoverybadnews，andkepttillnow，unablebeforetofindaquietmomentforreadingit，-\'MissGrey，doputawaythatdull，stupidletter，andlistentome!I\'msuremytalkmustbefarmoreamusingthanthat。\'
Sheseatedherselfonthelowstoolatmyfeet；andI，suppressingasighofvexation，begantofolduptheepistle。
\'Youshouldtellthegoodpeopleathomenottoboreyouwithsuchlongletters，\'saidshe；\'and，aboveall，dobidthemwriteonpropernote-paper，andnotonthosegreatvulgarsheets。Youshouldseethecharminglittlelady-likenotesmammawritestoherfriends。\'
\'Thegoodpeopleathome，\'repliedI，\'knowverywellthatthelongertheirlettersare，thebetterIlikethem。Ishouldbeverysorrytoreceiveacharminglittlelady-likenotefromanyofthem；
andIthoughtyouweretoomuchofaladyyourself，MissMurray，totalkaboutthe\"vulgarity\"ofwritingonalargesheetofpaper。\'
\'Well，Ionlysaidittoteaseyou。ButnowIwanttotalkabouttheball；andtotellyouthatyoupositivelymustputoffyourholidaystillitisover。\'
\'Whyso？-Ishallnotbepresentattheball。\'
\'No，butyouwillseetheroomsdeckedoutbeforeitbegins，andhearthemusic，and，aboveall，seemeinmysplendidnewdress。
I
shallbesocharming，you\'llbereadytoworshipme-youreallymuststay。\'
\'Ishouldliketoseeyouverymuch；butIshallhavemanyopportunitiesofseeingyouequallycharming，ontheoccasionofsomeofthenumberlessballsandpartiesthataretobe，andI
cannotdisappointmyfriendsbypostponingmyreturnsolong。\'
\'Oh，nevermindyourfriends!Tellthemwewon\'tletyougo。\'
\'But，tosaythetruth，itwouldbeadisappointmenttomyself:
I
longtoseethemasmuchastheytoseeme-perhapsmore。\'
\'Well，butitissuchashorttime。\'
\'Nearlyafortnightbymycomputation；and，besides，IcannotbearthethoughtsofaChristmasspentfromhome:and，moreover，mysisterisgoingtobemarried。\'
\'Isshe-when？\'
\'Nottillnextmonth；butIwanttobetheretoassistherinmakingpreparations，andtomakethebestofhercompanywhilewehaveher。\'
\'Whydidn\'tyoutellmebefore？\'
\'I\'veonlygotthenewsinthisletter，whichyoustigmatizeasdullandstupid，andwon\'tletmeread。\'
\'Towhomisshetobemarried？\'
\'ToMr。Richardson，thevicarofaneighbouringparish。\'
\'Isherich？\'
\'No；onlycomfortable。\'
\'Ishehandsome？\'
\'No；onlydecent。\'
\'Young？\'
\'No；onlymiddling。\'
\'Oh，mercy!whatawretch!Whatsortofahouseisit？\'
\'Aquietlittlevicarage，withanivy-cladporch，anold-fashionedgarden，and-\'
\'Oh，stop!-you\'llmakemesick。HowCANshebearit？\'
\'Iexpectshe\'llnotonlybeabletobearit，buttobeveryhappy。
YoudidnotaskmeifMr。Richardsonwereagood，wise，oramiableman；IcouldhaveansweredYes，toallthesequestions-atleastsoMarythinks，andIhopeshewillnotfindherselfmistaken。\'
\'But-miserablecreature!howcanshethinkofspendingherlifethere，coopedupwiththatnastyoldman；andnohopeofchange？\'
\'Heisnotold:he\'sonlysixorsevenandthirty；andsheherselfistwenty-eight，andassoberasifshewerefifty。\'
\'Oh!that\'sbetterthen-they\'rewellmatched；butdotheycallhimthe\"worthyvicar\"？\'
\'Idon\'tknow；butiftheydo，Ibelievehemeritstheepithet。\'
\'Mercy，howshocking!andwillshewearawhiteapronandmakepiesandpuddings？\'
\'Idon\'tknowaboutthewhiteapron，butIdaresayshewillmakepiesandpuddingsnowandthen；butthatwillbenogreathardship，asshehasdoneitbefore。\'
\'Andwillshegoaboutinaplainshawl，andalargestrawbonnet，carryingtractsandbonesouptoherhusband\'spoorparishioners？\'
\'I\'mnotclearaboutthat；butIdaresayshewilldoherbesttomakethemcomfortableinbodyandmind，inaccordancewithourmother\'sexample。\'
chapter09
CHAPTERIX-THEBALL
\'NOW，MissGrey，\'exclaimedMissMurray，immediatelyIenteredtheschoolroom，afterhavingtakenoffmyoutdoorgarments，uponreturningfrommyfourweeks\'recreation，\'Now-shutthedoor，andsitdown，andI\'lltellyouallabouttheball。\'
\'No-damnit，no!\'shoutedMissMatilda。\'Holdyourtongue，can\'tye？andletmetellheraboutmynewmare-SUCHasplendour，MissGrey!afinebloodmare-\'
\'Dobequiet，Matilda；andletmetellmynewsfirst。\'
\'No，no，Rosalie；you\'llbesuchadamnedlongtimeoverit-sheshallhearmefirst-I\'llbehangedifshedoesn\'t!\'
\'I\'msorrytohear，MissMatilda，thatyou\'venotgotridofthatshockinghabityet。\'
\'Well，Ican\'thelpit:butI\'llneversayawickedwordagain，ifyou\'llonlylistentome，andtellRosalietoholdherconfoundedtongue。\'
Rosalieremonstrated，andIthoughtIshouldhavebeentorninpiecesbetweenthem；butMissMatildahavingtheloudestvoice，hersisteratlengthgavein，andsufferedhertotellherstoryfirst:
soIwasdoomedtohearalongaccountofhersplendidmare，itsbreedingandpedigree，itspaces，itsaction，itsspirit，&；c。，andofherownamazingskillandcourageinridingit；concludingwithanassertionthatshecouldclearafive-barredgate\'likewinking，\'thatpapasaidshemighthuntthenexttimethehoundsmet，andmammahadorderedabrightscarlethunting-habitforher。
\'Oh，Matilda!whatstoriesyouaretelling!\'exclaimedhersister。
\'Well，\'answeredshe，nowhitabashed，\'IknowICOULDclearafive-barredgate，ifItried，andpapaWILLsayImayhunt，andmammaWILLorderthehabitwhenIaskit。\'
\'Well，nowgetalong，\'repliedMissMurray；\'anddo，dearMatilda，trytobealittlemorelady-like。MissGrey，Iwishyouwouldtellhernottousesuchshockingwords；shewillcallherhorseamare:itissoinconceivablyshocking!andthensheusessuchdreadfulexpressionsindescribingit:shemusthavelearneditfromthegrooms。Itnearlyputsmeintofitswhenshebegins。\'
\'Ilearneditfrompapa，youass!andhisjollyfriends，\'saidtheyounglady，vigorouslycrackingahunting-whip，whichshehabituallycarriedinherhand。\'I\'masgoodjudgeofhorsefleshasthebestof\'m。\'
\'Well，nowgetalong，youshockinggirl!Ireallyshalltakeafitifyougooninsuchaway。Andnow，MissGrey，attendtome；
I\'mgoingtotellyouabouttheball。Youmustbedyingtohearaboutit，Iknow。Oh，SUCHaball!Youneversaworheard，orread，ordreamtofanythinglikeitinallyourlife。Thedecorations，theentertainment，thesupper，themusicwereindescribable!andthentheguests!Thereweretwonoblemen，threebaronets，andfivetitledladies，andotherladiesandgentlemeninnumerable。Theladies，ofcourse，wereofnoconsequencetome，excepttoputmeinagoodhumourwithmyself，byshowinghowuglyandawkwardmostofthemwere；andthebest，mammatoldme，-themosttranscendentbeautiesamongthem，werenothingtome。Asforme，MissGrey-
I\'msoSORRYyoudidn\'tseeme!IwasCHARMING-wasn\'tI，Matilda？\'
\'Middling。\'
\'No，butIreallywas-atleastsomammasaid-andBrownandWilliamson。Brownsaidshewassurenogentlemancouldseteyesonmewithoutfallinginlovethatminute；andsoImaybeallowedtobealittlevain。Iknowyouthinkmeashocking，conceited，frivolousgirl；butthen，youknow，Idon\'tattributeitALLtomypersonalattractions:Igivesomepraisetothehairdresser，andsometomyexquisitelylovelydress-youmustseeitto-morrow-
whitegauzeoverpinksatin-andsoSWEETLYmade!andanecklaceandbraceletofbeautiful，largepearls!\'
\'Ihavenodoubtyoulookedverycharming:butshouldthatdelightyousoverymuch？\'
\'Oh，no!-notthatalone:but，then，Iwassomuchadmired；andI
madesoMANYconquestsinthatonenight-you\'dbeastonishedtohear-\'
\'Butwhatgoodwilltheydoyou？\'
\'Whatgood!Thinkofanywomanaskingthat!\'
\'Well，Ishouldthinkoneconquestwouldbeenough；andtoomuch，unlessthesubjugationweremutual。\'
\'Oh，butyouknowIneveragreewithyouonthosepoints。Now，waitabit，andI\'lltellyoumyprincipaladmirers-thosewhomadethemselvesveryconspicuousthatnightandafter:forI\'vebeentotwopartiessince。Unfortunatelythetwonoblemen，LordG-
andLordF-，weremarried，orImighthavecondescendedtobeparticularlygracioustoTHEM；asitwas，Ididnot:thoughLordF-，whohateshiswife，wasevidentlymuchstruckwithme。Heaskedmetodancewithhimtwice-heisacharmingdancer，by-the-
by，andsoamI:youcan\'tthinkhowwellIdid-Iwasastonishedatmyself。Mylordwasverycomplimentarytoo-rathertoomuchsoinfact-andIthoughtpropertobealittlehaughtyandrepellent；butIhadthepleasureofseeinghisnasty，crosswifereadytoperishwithspiteandvexation-\'
\'Oh，MissMurray!youdon\'tmeantosaythatsuchathingcouldreallygiveyoupleasure？Howevercrossor-\'
\'Well，Iknowit\'sverywrong；-butnevermind!Imeantobegoodsometime-onlydon\'tpreachnow，there\'sagoodcreature。I
haven\'ttoldyouhalfyet。Letmesee。Oh!IwasgoingtotellyouhowmanyunmistakeableadmirersIhad:-SirThomasAshbywasone，-SirHughMelthamandSirBroadleyWilsonareoldcodgers，onlyfitcompanionsforpapaandmamma。SirThomasisyoung，rich，andgay；butanuglybeast，nevertheless:however，mammasaysI
shouldnotmindthatafterafewmonths\'acquaintance。Then，therewasHenryMeltham，SirHugh\'syoungerson；rathergood-looking，andapleasantfellowtoflirtwith:butBEINGayoungerson，thatisallheisgoodfor；thentherewasyoungMr。Green，richenough，butofnofamily，andagreatstupidfellow，amerecountrybooby!
andthen，ourgoodrector，Mr。Hatfield:anHUMBLEadmirerheoughttoconsiderhimself；butIfearhehasforgottentonumberhumilityamonghisstockofChristianvirtues。\'
\'WasMr。Hatfieldattheball？\'
\'Yes，tohesure。Didyouthinkhewastoogoodtogo？\'
\'Ithoughtbemightconsideritunclerical。\'
\'Bynomeans。Hedidnotprofanehisclothbydancing；butitwaswithdifficultyhecouldrefrain，poorman:helookedasifheweredyingtoaskmyhandjustforONEset；and-oh!by-the-by-
he\'sgotanewcurate:thatseedyoldfellowMr。Blighhasgothislong-wished-forlivingatlast，andisgone。\'
\'Andwhatisthenewonelike？\'
\'Oh，SUCHabeast!Westonhisnameis。Icangiveyouhisdescriptioninthreewords-aninsensate，ugly，stupidblockhead。
That\'sfour，butnomatter-enoughofHIMnow。\'
Thenshereturnedtotheball，andgavemeafurtheraccountofherdeportmentthere，andattheseveralpartiesshehadsinceattended；andfurtherparticularsrespectingSirThomasAshbyandMessrs。Meltham，Green，andHatfield，andtheineffaceableimpressionshehadwroughtuponeachofthem。
\'Well，whichofthefourdoyoulikebest？\'saidI，suppressingmythirdorfourthyawn。
\'Idetestthemall!\'repliedshe，shakingherbrightringletsinvivaciousscorn。
\'Thatmeans，Isuppose，\"Ilikethemall\"-butwhichmost？\'
\'No，Ireallydetestthemall；butHarryMelthamisthehandsomestandmostamusing，andMr。Hatfieldthecleverest，SirThomasthewickedest，andMr。Greenthemoststupid。ButtheoneI\'mtohave，Isuppose，ifI\'mdoomedtohaveanyofthem，isSirThomasAshby。\'
\'Surelynot，ifhe\'ssowicked，andifyoudislikehim？\'
\'Oh，Idon\'tmindhisbeingwicked:he\'sallthebetterforthat；
andasfordislikinghim-Ishouldn\'tgreatlyobjecttobeingLadyAshbyofAshbyPark，ifImustmarry。ButifIcouldbealwaysyoung，Iwouldbealwayssingle。Ishouldliketoenjoymyselfthoroughly，andcoquetwithalltheworld，tillIamonthevergeofbeingcalledanoldmaid；andthen，toescapetheinfamyofthat，afterhavingmadetenthousandconquests，tobreakalltheirheartssaveone，bymarryingsomehigh-born，rich，indulgenthusband，whom，ontheotherhand，fiftyladiesweredyingtohave。\'
\'Well，aslongasyouentertaintheseviews，keepsinglebyallmeans，andnevermarryatall:noteventoescapetheinfamyofold-maidenhood。\'
chapter10
CHAPTERX-THECHURCH
\'WELL，MissGrey，whatdoyouthinkofthenewcurate？\'askedMissMurray，onourreturnfromchurchtheSundayaftertherecommencementofourduties。
\'Icanscarcelytell，\'wasmyreply:\'Ihavenotevenheardhimpreach。\'
\'Well，butyousawhim，didn\'tyou？\'
\'Yes，butIcannotpretendtojudgeofaman\'scharacterbyasinglecursoryglanceathisface。\'
\'Butisn\'theugly？\'
\'Hedidnotstrikemeasbeingparticularlyso；Idon\'tdislikethatcastofcountenance:buttheonlythingIparticularlynoticedabouthimwashisstyleofreading；whichappearedtomegood-infinitelybetter，atleast，thanMr。Hatfield\'s。HereadtheLessonsasifhewerebentongivingfulleffecttoeverypassage；itseemedasifthemostcarelesspersoncouldnothavehelpedattending，northemostignoranthavefailedtounderstand；
andtheprayershereadasifhewerenotreadingatall，butprayingearnestlyandsincerelyfromhisownheart。\'
\'Oh，yes，that\'sallheisgoodfor:hecanplodthroughtheservicewellenough；buthehasnotasingleideabeyondit。\'
\'Howdoyouknow？\'
\'Oh!Iknowperfectlywell；Iamanexcellentjudgeinsuchmatters。Didyouseehowhewentoutofchurch？stumpingalong-
asiftherewerenobodytherebuthimself-neverlookingtotherighthandortheleft，andevidentlythinkingofnothingbutjustgettingoutofthechurch，and，perhaps，hometohisdinner:hisgreatstupidheadcouldcontainnootheridea。\'
\'Isupposeyouwouldhavehadhimcastaglanceintothesquire\'spew，\'saidI，laughingatthevehemenceofherhostility。
\'Indeed!Ishouldhavebeenhighlyindignantifhehaddaredtodosuchathing!\'repliedshe，haughtilytossingherhead；then，afteramoment\'sreflection，sheadded-\'Well，well!Isupposehe\'sgoodenoughforhisplace:butI\'mgladI\'mnotdependentonHIM
foramusement-that\'sall。DidyouseehowMr。Hatfieldhurriedouttogetabowfromme，andbeintimetoputusintothecarriage？\'
\'Yes，\'answeredI；internallyadding，\'andIthoughtitsomewhatderogatorytohisdignityasaclergymantocomeflyingfromthepulpitinsucheagerhastetoshakehandswiththesquire，andhandhiswifeanddaughtersintotheircarriage:and，moreover，Iowehimagrudgefornearlyshuttingmeoutofit\'；for，infact，thoughIwasstandingbeforehisface，closebesidethecarriagesteps，waitingtogetin，hewouldpersistinputtingthemupandclosingthedoor，tilloneofthefamilystoppedhimbycallingoutthatthegovernesswasnotinyet；then，withoutawordofapology，hedeparted，wishingthemgood-morning，andleavingthefootmantofinishthebusiness。
NOTABENE-Mr。Hatfieldneverspoketome，neitherdidSirHughorLadyMeltham，norMr。HarryorMissMeltham，norMr。Greenorhissisters，noranyotherladyorgentlemanwhofrequentedthatchurch:nor，infact，anyonethatvisitedatHortonLodge。
MissMurrayorderedthecarriageagain，intheafternoon，forherselfandhersister:shesaiditwastoocoldforthemtoenjoythemselvesinthegarden；andbesides，shebelievedHarryMelthamwouldbeatchurch。\'For，\'saidshe，smilingslylyatherownfairimageintheglass，\'hehasbeenamostexemplaryattendantatchurchtheselastfewSundays:youwouldthinkhewasquiteagoodChristian。Andyoumaygowithus，MissGrey:Iwantyoutoseehim；heissogreatlyimprovedsincehereturnedfromabroad-youcan\'tthink!Andbesides，thenyouwillhaveanopportunityofseeingthebeautifulMr。Westonagain，andofhearinghimpreach。\'
Ididhearhimpreach，andwasdecidedlypleasedwiththeevangelicaltruthofhisdoctrine，aswellastheearnestsimplicityofhismanner，andtheclearnessandforceofhisstyle。
Itwastrulyrefreshingtohearsuchasermon，afterbeingsolongaccustomedtothedry，prosydiscoursesoftheformercurate，andthestilllessedifyingharanguesoftherector。Mr。Hatfieldwouldcomesailinguptheaisle，orrathersweepingalonglikeawhirlwind，withhisrichsilkgownflyingbehindhimandrustlingagainstthepewdoors，mountthepulpitlikeaconquerorascendinghistriumphalcar；then，sinkingonthevelvetcushioninanattitudeofstudiedgrace，remaininsilentprostrationforacertaintime；thenmutteroveraCollect，andgabblethroughtheLord\'sPrayer，rise，drawoffonebrightlavenderglove，togivethecongregationthebenefitofhissparklingrings，lightlypasshisfingersthroughhiswell-curledhair，flourishacambrichandkerchief，reciteaveryshortpassage，or，perhaps，amerephraseofScripture，asahead-piecetohisdiscourse，and，finally，deliveracompositionwhich，asacomposition，mightbeconsideredgood，thoughfartoostudiedandtooartificialtobepleasingtome:thepropositionswerewelllaiddown，theargumentslogicallyconducted；andyet，itwassometimeshardtolistenquietlythroughout，withoutsomeslightdemonstrationsofdisapprovalorimpatience。
Hisfavouritesubjectswerechurchdiscipline，ritesandceremonies，apostolicalsuccession，thedutyofreverenceandobediencetotheclergy，theatrociouscriminalityofdissent，theabsolutenecessityofobservingalltheformsofgodliness，thereprehensiblepresumptionofindividualswhoattemptedtothinkforthemselvesinmattersconnectedwithreligion，ortobeguidedbytheirowninterpretationsofScripture，and，occasionallytopleasehiswealthyparishionersthenecessityofdeferentialobediencefromthepoortotherich-supportinghismaximsandexhortationsthroughoutwithquotationsfromtheFathers:withwhomheappearedtobefarbetteracquaintedthanwiththeApostlesandEvangelists，andwhoseimportanceheseemedtoconsideratleastequaltotheirs。Butnowandthenhegaveusasermonofadifferentorder-whatsomewouldcallaverygoodone；butsunlessandsevere:representingtheDeityasaterribletaskmasterratherthanabenevolentfather。Yet，asIlistened，Ifeltinclinedtothinkthemanwassincereinallhesaid:hemusthavechangedhisviews，andbecomedecidedlyreligious，gloomyandaustere，yetstilldevout。Butsuchillusionswereusuallydissipated，oncomingoutofchurch，byhearinghisvoiceinjocundcolloquywithsomeoftheMelthamsorGreens，or，perhaps，theMurraysthemselves；probablylaughingathisownsermon，andhopingthathehadgiventherascallypeoplesomethingtothinkabout；perchance，exultinginthethoughtthatoldBettyHolmeswouldnowlayasidethesinfulindulgenceofherpipe，whichhadbeenherdailysolaceforupwardsofthirtyyears:thatGeorgeHigginswouldbefrightenedoutofhisSabbatheveningwalks，andThomasJacksonwouldbesorelytroubledinhisconscience，andshakeninhissureandcertainhopeofajoyfulresurrectionatthelastday。
Thus，IcouldnotbutconcludethatMr。Hatfieldwasoneofthosewho\'bindheavyburdens，andgrievoustobeborne，andlaythemuponmen\'sshoulders，whiletheythemselveswillnotmovethemwithoneoftheirfingers\'；andwho\'makethewordofGodofnoneeffectbytheirtraditions，teachingfordoctrinesthecommandmentsofmen。\'Iwaswellpleasedtoobservethatthenewcurateresembledhim，asfarasIcouldsee，innoneoftheseparticulars。
\'Well，MissGrey，whatdoyouthinkofhimnow？\'saidMissMurray，aswetookourplacesinthecarriageafterservice。
\'Noharmstill，\'repliedI。
\'Noharm!\'repeatedsheinamazement。\'Whatdoyoumean？\'
\'Imean，IthinknoworseofhimthanIdidbefore。\'
\'Noworse!Ishouldthinknotindeed-quitethecontrary!
Ishenotgreatlyimproved？\'
\'Oh，yes；verymuchindeed，\'repliedI；forIhadnowdiscoveredthatitwasHarryMelthamshemeant，notMr。Weston。Thatgentlemanhadeagerlycomeforwardtospeaktotheyoungladies:
athinghewouldhardlyhaveventuredtodohadtheirmotherbeenpresent；hehadlikewisepolitelyhandedthemintothecarriage。
Hehadnotattemptedtoshutmeout，likeMr。Hatfield；neither，ofcourse，hadheofferedmehisassistanceIshouldnothaveacceptedit，ifhehad，butaslongasthedoorremainedopenhehadstoodsmirkingandchattingwiththem，andthenliftedhishatanddepartedtohisownabode:butIhadscarcelynoticedhimallthetime。Mycompanions，however，hadbeenmoreobservant；and，aswerolledalong，theydiscussedbetweenthemnotonlyhislooks，words，andactions，buteveryfeatureofhisface，andeveryarticleofhisapparel。
\'Youshan\'thavehimalltoyourself，Rosalie，\'saidMissMatildaatthecloseofthisdiscussion；\'Ilikehim:Iknowhe\'dmakeanice，jollycompanionforme。\'
\'Well，you\'requitewelcometohim，Matilda，\'repliedhersister，inatoneofaffectedindifference。
\'AndI\'msure，\'continuedtheother，\'headmiresmequiteasmuchashedoesyou；doesn\'the，MissGrey？\'
\'Idon\'tknow；I\'mnotacquaintedwithhissentiments。\'
\'Well，butheDOESthough。\'
\'MyDEARMatilda!nobodywilleveradmireyoutillyougetridofyourrough，awkwardmanners。\'
\'Oh，stuff!HarryMelthamlikessuchmanners；andsodopapa\'sfriends。\'
\'Well，youMAYcaptivateoldmen，andyoungersons；butnobodyelse，Iamsure，willevertakeafancytoyou。\'
\'Idon\'tcare:I\'mnotalwaysgrabbingaftermoney，likeyouandmamma。Ifmyhusbandisabletokeepafewgoodhorsesanddogs，I
shallbequitesatisfied；andalltherestmaygotothedevil!\'
\'Well，ifyouusesuchshockingexpressions，I\'msurenorealgentlemanwilleverventuretocomenearyou。Really，MissGrey，youshouldnotletherdoso。\'
\'Ican\'tpossiblypreventit，MissMurray。\'
\'Andyou\'requitemistaken，Matilda，insupposingthatHarryMelthamadmiresyou:Iassureyouhedoesnothingofthekind。\'
Matildawasbeginninganangryreply；but，happily，ourjourneywasnowatanend；andthecontentionwascutshortbythefootmanopeningthecarriage-door，andlettingdownthestepsforourdescent。
chapter11
CHAPTERXI-THECOTTAGERS
ASIhadnowonlyoneregularpupil-thoughshecontrivedtogivemeasmuchtroubleasthreeorfourordinaryones，andthoughhersisterstilltooklessonsinGermananddrawing-IhadconsiderablymoretimeatmyowndisposalthanIhadeverbeenblessedwithbefore，sinceIhadtakenuponmethegoverness\'syoke；whichtimeIdevotedpartlytocorrespondencewithmyfriends，partlytoreading，study，andthepracticeofmusic，singing，&；c。，partlytowanderinginthegroundsoradjacentfields，withmypupilsiftheywantedme，aloneiftheydidnot。