“Well, Lucy, I think them too gay—­the liveries I mean—­for an M.D.; quieter colours do best; and as to the new carriage, I had not absolutely ordered it.  I don’t see why I cannot go on with the jobs; and I almost think I shall do so, and appropriate the money I intended for my own carriage to another purpose.”

“What purpose?”

“Why, to effect an insurance on my life.  There was a great deal of truth in what Charles said the other day, although he said it coarsely, which is not usual with him; but he felt the subject, and I feel it also; so I think of, as I said, going quietly on with the jobs—­at all events till next year—­and devoting this money to the insurance.”

It is difficult to believe how any woman, situated as Mrs. Adams was, could have objected to a plan so evidently for her advantage and the advantage of her family; but she was one of those who never like to think of the possibility of a reverse of fortune—­who thrust care off as long as they can, and who feel more pleasure in being lavish as to the present than in saving for the future.

“I am sure,” she answered, in the half-petted half-peevish tone that evinces a weak mind—­“I am sure if any thing was to happen to you, I would break my heart at once, and my family, of course, would provide for the children.  I could not bear the idea of reaping any advantage by your death; and really the jobs are so very inferior to what they used to be—­and Dr. Leeswor, next door but one, has purchased such a handsome chariot—­you have at least twice his practice; and—­Why, dear John, you never were in such health; there will be no necessity for this painful insurance.  And after you have set up your own carriage, you can begin and lay by, and in a few years there will be plenty for the children; and I shall not have the galling feeling that any living thing would profit by your death.  Dear John, pray do not think of this painful insurance; it may do very well for a man like your brother—­a man with out refinement; but just fancy the mental torture of such a provision.”

Much more Mrs. Adams talked; and the doctor, who loved display, and had no desire to see Dr. Leeswor, his particular rival, or even Dr. Fitzlane, better appointed than himself, felt strongly inclined towards the new carriage, and thought it would certainly be pleasanter to save than to insure, and resolved to begin immediately after the purchase of his new equipage.

When persons are very prosperous, a few ten or twenty pounds do not much signify, but the principle of careless expenditure is hard to curb.