‘So this is what Lily is come to!’ cried Emily; ’the grand supporter of the poor on poetical principles.’

‘The poor not affectionate!’ said Alethea.

’Not, compared within people whose minds and affections have been cultivated,’ said Lily.  ’Now just hear what Mrs. Wall said to me only yesterday; she asked for a black stuff gown out of the clothing club, “for,” said she, “I had a misfortune, Miss;” I thought it would be, “and tore my gown,” but it was, “I had a misfortune, Miss, and lost my brother."’

‘A very harsh conclusion on very slight grounds,’ said Mr. Devereux.

‘Prove the contrary,’ said Lily.

‘Facts would scarcely demonstrate it either way,’ said Mr. Devereux.  ’They would only prove what was the case with individuals who chanced to come in our way, and if we are seldom able to judge of the depth of feeling of those with whom we are familiar, how much less of those who feel our presence a restraint.’

‘Intense feeling mocks restraint,’ said Lily.

‘Violent, not intense,’ said Mr. Devereux.  ’Besides, you talk of cultivating the affections.  Now what do you mean?  Exercising them, or talking about them?’

‘Ah!’ said Emily, ’the affection of a poor person is more tried; we blame a poor man for letting his old mother go to the workhouse, without considering how many of us would do the same, if we had as little to live upon.’

‘Still,’ said Alethea, ’the same man who would refuse to maintain her if poor, would not bear with her infirmities if rich.’

‘Are the poor never infirm and peevish?’ said Mr. Devereux.

‘Oh! how much worse it must be to bear with ill-temper in poverty,’ said Emily, ’when we think it quite wonderful to see a young lady kind and patient with a cross old relation; what must it be when she is denying herself, not only her pleasure, but her food for her sake; not merely sitting quietly with her all day, and calling a servant to wait upon her, but toiling all day to maintain her, and keeping awake half the night to nurse her?’

‘Those are realities, indeed,’ said Alethea; ’our greatest efforts seem but child’s play in comparison.’

Lilias could hardly have helped being sobered by this conversation if she had attended to it, but she had turned away to repeat the story of Mrs. Walls to Jane, and then, fancying that the others were still remarking upon it, she said in a light, laughing tone, ’Well, so far I agree with you.  I know of a person who may well be called one of ourselves, who I could quite fancy making such a speech.’

‘Whom do you mean?’ said Mr. Devereux.  Alethea wished she did not know.

‘No very distant relation,’ said Jane.

‘Do not talk nonsense, Jane,’ said Claude, gravely.

‘No nonsense at all, Claude,’ cried Jane in her very very pertest tone, ’it is exactly like Eleanor; I am sure I can see her with her hands before her, saying in her prim voice, “I must turn my old black silk and trim it with crape, for I have had a misfortune, and lost my brother."’