Pray, madam, do not move, for you may aid me in the object for which I come.' "The object for which I came, sir, was to establish a regular battle-royal between the two ladies; at the end of which I intended to appeal to Mrs.Hoggarty, and say that she ought really no longer to stay in a house with the members of which she had such unhappy differences.
Well, sir, the battle-royal was fought,--Miss Belinda opening the fire, by saying she understood Mrs.Hoggarty had been calumniating her to her friends.

But though at the end of it Miss rushed out of the room in a rage, and vowed she would leave her home unless that odious woman left it, your dear aunt said, 'Ha, ha! I know the minx's vile stratagems; but, thank Heaven! I have a good heart, and my religion enables me to forgive her.

I shall not leave her excellent papa's house, or vex by my departure that worthy admirable man.' "I then tried Mrs.H.on the score of compassion.

'Your niece,' said I, 'Mrs.Titmarsh, madam, has been of late, Sam says, rather poorly,--qualmish of mornings, madam,--a little nervous, and low in spirits,--symptoms, madam, that are scarcely to be mistaken in a young married person.' "Mrs.Hoggarty said she had an admirable cordial that she would send Mrs.
Samuel Titmarsh, and she was perfectly certain it would do her good.
"With very great unwillingness I was obliged now to bring my last reserve into the field, and may tell you what that was, Sam my boy, now that the matter is so long passed.

'Madam,' said I, 'there's a matter about which I must speak, though indeed I scarcely dare.