Page:Maria Edgeworth (Zimmern 1883).djvu/171

Rh friends; and during the spring and winter months hiring a house of their own in London, where they entertained and were entertained. They lived in a whirl of town dissipation, knowing six different and totally independent sets, " scientific, literary, political, travelled, artist, and the fine fashionable of various shades." Miss Edgeworth found the different styles of conversation very entertaining, and sent home bright pictures of the various things she saw and heard.

At one house, Mrs. Somerville was met and thus described:—

Some days were happily spent visiting Mr. Ricardo, with whose fairness in argument Miss Edgeworth was struck. While her sisters danced, acted charades, or played round games, Miss Edgeworth conversed with the elders of the company ; but she was ever ready to turn from grave to gay, and often the first to improvise a masquerade or to arrange an impromptu charade. Wherever there was laughter and young people, there she was a favourite and sought-for companion. Her life, during these months in England, certainly did not lack outward variety, and she was happy for herself, and yet happier because she saw her sisters pleased