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| 'I conclude,' said Gervase, a good deal amused, 'that your Mama is of a practical disposition?'
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| 'Oh, no!' replied Miss Morville serenely. 'That is why she did not wish to form one of the colony. She has
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| no Turn for domestic duties: Mama is an Authoress. She has written several novels,
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| and numerous articles and treatises...and she holds views, which are thought to be very
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| advanced, on Female Education.'
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| 'And have you been reared according to these views?' enquired Gervase, in some misgiving.
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| 'No, for Mama has been so fully occupied in prescribing for the education of females in general
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| that naturally she has had little time to spare for her own children. Moreover, she is a
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| person of excellent sense, and, mortifying though it has been to her, she has not hesitated
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| to acknowledge that neither I nor my elder brother is in the least bookish.'
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| 'A blow!' commented the Earl.
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| 'Yes, but she has sustained it with fortitude, and we have great hopes that my younger
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| brother, who is now at Cambridge, will be distinguished. And after all, there must be
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| someone in a household who does not dislike domestic management.'
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| 'Is that your fate, Miss Morville?' the Earl asked, rather touched. 'Is your life spent
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| in these rural fastnesses, performing a housekeeper's duties? I pity you.!'
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| 'Well, you need not,' returned Miss Morville unromantically. 'We are only to be found
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| in Lincolnshire when Papa requires quiet for the performance of his labours. In general,
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| we reside in London, so that Mama may enjoy the benefits of literary society.'
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| 'Forgive me, ma'am, if I say this it sounds to me like a dead bore!'
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| 'Oh, yes, to those who are not bookish, it is!' agreed Miss Morville. 'When in London,
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| I spend much of my time in the company of my aunt, Lady Morville, and my cousins. Parties,
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| and theatres, you know, for they are always very gay, and most good-natured in including
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| me in their schemes. My aunt even undertook my presentation last year..."
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| </div>
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