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 lay; and in that designing mind was the question, Should she toy a little with this Victorian Mamma? Or should she exercise her arts and blandishments?

"It is so wrong of Phil-ipp," said Mother, "and I think you ought to exercise the influence that every wife—that is, if she is good and worthy—has with her husband, and dissuade him from this course. You do see, do you not, that it is most injudicious for a man in his position?"

"Well, Lady Shelmerdine," said Mischief, having decided in favor of the broader way, "Phil-ipp looks at it like this—don't you, Phil-ipp? The Rags do get on a bit, but the Waggers are generally going backwards."

Followed an academic discussion of the Situation. A most immoral proceeding, Mother was bound to believe. Ingratitude could not further go than for the eldest son of the very last peer created by Mr. Vandeleur's Gover'ment to go over horse, foot and artillery, to the foe.

"To what extent ought a son to suffer for the indiscretion of his father?" inquired Mischief solemnly.

Mother begged pardon; she didn't understand. Daughter-in-law seemed unable to render the question any clearer.

At this point the Conference seemed to take a turn for the worse.