"True," returned the other; "but you must have noted, as well as I have done, a careful avoidance of any thing like direct opposition to Lord Marchmont; therefore, I certainly wondered at her appearance."
"But how did she interest you in their favour?" asked his nephew.
"By introducing Miss Churchill," said Lord Norbourne, earnestly. "Norbourne, till I saw that lovely face—so pale, so sad—I never felt how little had her happiness been considered. I cannot tell you how I was touched by her appearance;—what a relief it was to me when I found that I could serve her."
"My dearest uncle," exclaimed Norbourne, "how little are people in general aware of how kind you are!"
"I care for the opinion of people in general," replied his companion, "precisely what it is worth—nothing! Every hour my contempt increases for the herd of mankind. False, flattering, and cowardly,—treating them ill is only giving them their deserts, and they treat
