Now, therefore, that beautifying laugh of hers was very rarely heard, and she had of late become confirmed in two opinions, not at all conducive to laughter.

One was a conviction of the general and progressive wickedness of the male sex, and the other was a decided and lugubrious belief that the world was coming to an end.

Miss Jemima was now accompanied by a small canine favourite, true Blenheim, with a snub nose.

It was advanced in life, and somewhat obese.

It sat on its haunches, with its tongue out of its mouth, except when it snapped at the flies.