, etc., Pitt Crawley
suddenly took up the cudgels in favour of the man of Destiny. He described the
First Consul as he saw him at Paris at the Peace of Amiens, when he, Pitt
Crawley, had the gratification of making the acquaintance of the great and good
Mr. Fox, a statesman whom, however much he might differ with him, it was
impossible not to admire fervently - a statesman who had always had the highest
opinion of the Emperor Napoleon. And he spoke in terms of the strongest
indignation of the faithless conduct of the allies towards this dethroned
monarch, who, after giving himself generously up to their mercy, was consigned
to an ignoble and cruel banishment, while a bigoted Popish rabble was
tyrannizing over France in his stead.
    This orthodox horror of Romish superstition saved Pitt Crawley in Lady
Southdown's opinion, whilst his admiration for Fox and Napoleon raised him
immeasurably in Miss Crawley's eyes. Her friendship with that defunct British
statesman was mentioned when we first introduced her in this history. A true
Whig, Miss Crawley had been in opposition all through the war; and though, to be
sure, the downfall of the Emperor did not very much agitate the old lady, or his
ill-treatment tend to shorten her life or natural rest, yet Pitt spoke to her
heart when he lauded both her idols, and by that single speech made immense
progress in her favour.
    »And what do you think, my dear?« Miss Crawley said to the young lady, for
whom she had taken a liking at first sight, as she always did for pretty and
modest young people; though it must be owned her affections cooled as rapidly as
they rose.
    Lady Jane blushed very much, and said »that she did not understand politics,
which she left to wiser heads than hers; but though Mamma was no doubt correct,
Mr. Crawley had spoken beautifully.« And when the ladies were retiring at the
conclusion of their visit, Miss Crawley hoped »Lady Southdown would be so kind
as to send her Lady Jane sometimes, if she could be spared, to come down and
console a poor, sick, lonely old woman.« This promise was graciously accorded,
and they separated upon great terms of amity.
    »Don't let Lady Southdown come again, Pitt,« said the old lady. »She is
stupid and pompous, like all your mother's family, whom I never could endured.
But bring that nice good-natured little Jane as often as ever you please.« Pitt
promised that he would do so. He