 into a gradual decline.
This, in a great measure, prevented Lord Hazard from a participation in the general happiness, and gave occasionally no little uneasiness to Sir Sidney and Lady Roebuck. My lord, however, in proportion as he shunned the general hilarity, courted the charms which he found in private meditation, and the exercise of that benevolence to which he was so forcibly stimulated by Sir Sidney.


MATTERS wore this face when Charles, who had been in continual anxiety relative to the situation of Miss Figgins, saw her brother one morning ride into the park. It was about the time when the young gentleman flattered himself he should become a father, and having accosted Mr. Figgins, who returned his salutation with bare civility, he was convinced this manly achievement of his had been crowned with the expected success. Relying however on the friendship of Mr. Standfast, he felt rather satisfied than otherwise on the subject, and immediately appeared as coldly civil as the young clergyman.
Mr. Figgins was shewn to Mr. Standfast, with whom he held a long conference, the result of which our hero waited for with impatience; and he was not a little astonished when the two gentlemen came towards him in terms of very high altercation.

Charles could distinctly hear Standfast say
'Come come, this is a little too rascally.'
'Rascally!' cried the other.
'Yes,' replied Standfast, 'for it is impossible that you can be ignorant of her character:'
—and then, seeing Charles, said
'Here is the young gentleman, and I confess his conduct was imprudent enough, but sir, I tell you once again it was a trap for him, and if it had not been for my positive injunction, so honourable are his sentiments, he would have disgraced his family for ever by marrying your sister, whom I can prove to be a woman void of reputation. To tell you the truth sir, this was the cause of my silence, and as I am convinced you must have been privy to the whole business, you need not expect any further countenance from my lord, the bishop, or any other of my friends.'

Mr. Figgins declared that if Mr. Standfast could in the smallest degree prove what he asserted, he should abandon his sister as a wretch unworthy his protection. He protested his total ignorance of her character, and solemnly assured Mr. Standfast he knew nothing of the intrigue between her and our hero, till—seeing her palpably in a condition that would shortly bring disgrace on him, particularly because of his profession and connections—he taxed her with the
