Page:Romance & Reality 1.pdf/90

84 But, without that grand resource, how they got through the four-and-twenty hours, like the man with the iron mask, remains a mystery. At Howell's, Emily was aroused from the contemplation of a bracelet formed of bees' wings united by lady-birds, by seeing Lady St Leon, a large, good-natured person—one of those who take up a chariot or a sofa to themselves—one of those fortunate beings who have never had a cross but a diamond one in the world—one who, as a child, was amusing enough to be papa's pet, and pretty enough to be mamma's. She fell in love at sixteen with the very person she ought,—the heir of the estate which adjoined her father's; she was wedded in a month, had a fine large family, none of whom were ever ill; had sons, with an uncle to adopt every one but the eldest, and daughters predestined to be married, and who fulfilled their destinies as soon as possible. She never contradicted her husband, who never contradicted her; and they had gone on to fifty, equally fat and fortunate together. No wonder her ladyship's good humour was enough for herself—and other people. While discussing with the old lady the effects of an east wind, and the rival merits of liquorice