 aunt - He endeavoured to recollect himself, and act with vigour of
mind on this occasion; but was betrayed by the tenderness of his nature, which
was the greatest defect of his constitution. He found the aunt in tears, and the
niece in a fit, which held her the best part of eight hours, at the expiration
of which, she began to talk incoherently about death and her dear husband, who
had sat by her all this time, and now pressed her hand to his lips, in a
transport of grief and penitence for the offence he had given - From thence
forward, he carefully avoided mentioning the country; and they continued to be
sucked deeper and deeper into the vortex of extravagance and dissipation,
leading what is called a fashionable life in town - About the latter end of
July, however, Mrs. Baynard, in order to exhibit a proof of conjugal obedience,
desired of her own accord, that they might pay a visit to his country house, as
there was no company left in London. He would have excused himself from this
excursion, which was no part of the oeconomical plan he had proposed; but she
insisted upon making this sacrifice to his taste and prejudices, and away they
went with such an equipage as astonished the whole country - All that remained
of the season was engrossed by receiving and returning visits in the
neighbourhood; and, in this intercourse, it was discovered, that sir John
Chickwell had a house-steward and one footman in livery more than the complement
of Mr. Baynard's household. This remark was made by the aunt at table, and
assented to by the husband, who observed that sir John Chickwell might very well
afford to keep more servants than were found in the family of a man who had not
half his fortune. Mrs. Baynard ate no supper that evening; but was seized with a
violent fit, which completed her triumph over the spirit of her consort. The two
supernumerary servants were added - The family plate was sold for old silver,
and a new service procured; fashionable furniture was provided, and the whole
house turned topsy turvy.
    At their return to London, in the beginning of winter, he, with a heavy
heart, communicated these particulars to me in confidence. Before his marriage,
he had introduced me to the lady as his particular friend; and I now offered in
that character, to lay before her the necessity of reforming her oeconomy, if
she had any regard to the interest of her own family, or complaisance for the
inclinations of her husband - But Baynard declined my offer, on
