, might admit of a little heightening; whereas, she resolved to sink whatever would be likely to augment his chagrin: for she was not one of those friends who unnecessarily aggravated matters, but, on the contrary, admitted that a little laudable deceit was pardonable, when the proposed end was meritorious.
Many good purposes, Mrs. Marlow flattered herself, would derive from this commerce. Ego, she had no doubt, would retail what passed in the presence of Emma, whose wit and ingenuity would not fail to take hold of such an occasion to supply Charles with every thing he wished to know, even, probably, without the conscious concurrence of Ego; for it might be conveyed in such ambiguous terms as none but the lovers themselves could unriddle; and, come what come might, she resolved to invent consolation, where it really did not present itself, for she could not bear the idea that our hero should be so afflicted.
This was the first time his obstinacy towards opening a negociation with Sir Sidney seemed to give way. She hoped in time he would be wholly

subdued, and had no doubt when her well-intentioned scheme came to have the assistance of Mr. Balance, that a perfect reconciliation would take place between them; and then, as it was in the power of Sir Sidney alone to place our hero in a very conspicuous professional light—which this foolish woman thought even more eligible than the possession of an inherited fortune—she contemplated, even with tears of joy, that moment when she should see him happy, equal to his deserts.
Big with this project and these hopes, Mrs. Marlow waited with impatience for the morning, and that she might employ her time to as much advantage as possible, entreated Charles to leave her for half an hour with Ego, before he came down to breakfast.
Mr. Ego came very punctually to his time. He was shewn in by Mrs. Marlow, who told him she was very sorry, but Mr. Hazard was a little indisposed, and therefore she had not disturbed him; but, however, he should be immediately called.—To which Mr. Ego made answer,
'Ah, up late last night I suppose: this is the consequence: ah these young men! If I was a young man I would be the mirror of sobriety.'


'Then,' said Mrs. Marlow, 'you would be exactly like Mr. Hazard, for I never saw him otherwise than sober in my life.'

'Indeed!' said Ego, 'I am glad on't: it is very commendable. Always
