 diverted from her
Purpose, by a very interesting Consideration
 
Whatever deference, not to say submission, she had paid to Mrs. Grizzle before
she was so nearly allied to her family, she no sooner became Mrs. Pickle, than
she thought it incumbent upon her to act up to the dignity of the character; and
the very day after the marriage, ventured to dispute with her sister-in-law on
the subject of her own pedigree, which she affirmed to be more honourable in all
respects than that of her husband; observing that several younger brothers of
her house had arrived at the station of lord mayor of London, which was the
highest pitch of greatness that any of Mr. Pickle's predecessors had ever
attained.
    This presumption was like a thunderbolt to Mrs. Grizzle, who began to
perceive that she had not succeeded quite so well as she imagined, in selecting
for her brother a gentle and obedient yoke-fellow, who would always treat her
with that profound respect which she thought due to her superior genius, and be
entirely regulated by her advice and direction: however, she still continued to
manage the reins of government in the house, reprehending the servants as usual;
an office she performed with great capacity, and in which she seemed to take
singular delight, until Mrs. Pickle, on pretence of consulting her ease, told
her one day she would take that trouble upon herself, and for the future assume
the management of her own family. Nothing could be more mortifying to Mrs.
Grizzle than such a declaration, to which, after a considerable pause, and
strange distortion of look, she replied, »I shall never refuse or repine at any
trouble that may conduce to my brother's advantage.« »Dear madam,« answered the
sister, »I am infinitely obliged to your kind concern for Mr. Pickle's interest,
which I consider as my own, but I cannot bear to see you a sufferer by your
friendship; and therefore, insist upon exempting you from the fatigue you have
borne so long.«
    In vain did the other protest that she took pleasure in the task; Mrs.
Pickle ascribed the assurance to her excess of complaisance, and expressed such
tenderness of zeal for her dear sister's health and tranquillity, that the
reluctant maiden found herself obliged to resign her authority, without enjoying
the least pretext for complaining of her being deposed.
    This disgrace was attended by a fit of peevish devotion that lasted three or
four weeks; during which period, she had the additional chagreen of seeing the
young lady gain an absolute ascendency
