They come up here every fourth of June, and drink his Majesty's health, and have buns, and (as Margaret Dawson can testify) they take a great and respectful interest in all the pictures I can show them of the royal family." "But, madam, I think of something higher than any earthly dignities." My lady coloured at the mistake she had made; for she herself was truly pious.

Yet when she resumed the subject, it seemed to me as if her tone was a little sharper than before.
"Such want of reverence is, I should say, the clergyman's fault.

You must excuse me, Mr.Gray, if I speak plainly." "My Lady, I want plain-speaking.

I myself am not accustomed to those ceremonies and forms which are, I suppose, the etiquette in your ladyship's rank of life, and which seem to hedge you in from any power of mine to touch you.

Among those with whom I have passed my life hitherto, it has been the custom to speak plainly out what we have felt earnestly.
So, instead of needing any apology from your ladyship for straightforward speaking, I will meet what you say at once, and admit that it is the clergyman's fault, in a great measure, when the children of his parish swear, and curse, and are brutal, and ignorant of all saving grace; nay, some of them of the very name of God.