You know, Isabel, we never talk of that prudent match of great-uncle John's; what could he expect by marrying into THAT family, where you know all the men were not SANS PEUR, and none of the women SANS REPROCHE.' 'Oh mamma!' cried Lady Isabel, 'not one exception ?' 'Not one, Isabel,' persisted Lady Dashfort; 'there was Lady -- , and the other sister, that married the man with the long nose; and the daughter again, of whom they contrived to make an honest woman, by getting her married in time to a BLUE-RIBBAND, and who contrived to get herself into Doctors' Commons the very next year.' 'Well, dear mamma, that is enough, and too much.

Oh! pray don't go on,' cried Lady Isabel, who had appeared very much distressed during her mother's speech.

'You don't know what you are saying; indeed, ma'am, you don't.' 'Very likely, child; but that compliment I can return to you on the spot, and with interest; for you seem to me, at this instant, not to know either what you are saying or what you are doing.

Come, come, explain.' 'Oh no, ma'am--Pray say so no more; I will explain myself another time.' 'Nay, there you are wrong, Isabel; in point of good-breeding, anything is better than hints and mystery.

Since I have been so unlucky as to touch upon the subject, better go through with it, and, with all the boldness of innocence ask the question, Are you, my Lord Colambre, or are you not, related or connected with any of the St.Omars ?' 'Not that I know of,' said Lord Colambre; 'but I really am so bad a genealogist, that I cannot answer positively.' 'Then I must put the substance of my question into a new form.