"Suppose Mr. Trevanion should obtain his pardon, would you still think yourself compelled to marry him?"
"No; though I should certainly not think myself justified in marrying another."
"Well, then," exclaimed Lady Marchmont, "I shall use my utmost influence to get him beheaded, out of the way, as soon as possible. Dear, dear! I am afraid that he would only be hanged; at least, I can endeavour to have him complimented with the axe."
"My dear Henrietta, how can you jest on such serious subjects?"
"On what others would you have me jest?" replied her companion, her beautiful mouth curving with a bitter smile. "The serious things of life are its keenest mockeries. The things set apart for laughter are not half so absurd as those marked out for tears. Ah! if we did but look at life in its true point of view—false, hollow, mocking, and weary as it is!—we should just walk down this very street, and be found floating on the Thames to morrow."
