Mary had soon put on her bonnet and cloak; a trouble which Miss Moreton had deemed unnecessary, for her hair and veil floating on the breeze together, she sprung into the vehicle, in her morning dishabille, reclining negligently on one seat of the carriage, whilst the one opposite was occupied by Mary and Montgomery. Four swift horses carried them through the park. Miss Moreton had all the conversation; Montgomery seemed very well contented to be a patient hearer; and Mary's monosyllable, of an affirmative or negative, was all which was required of her by her protectress.

Miss Moreton appeared to take no little pride in pointing out the extent of her demesne to Montgomery; and she talked of her improvements and plans with very great satisfaction. – 'there is,’ said she, ‘so much pleasure in feeling one's self above the world; I mean, its customs and its foolish notions, and in having had spirit to break from its iron thraldom, that I only wonder there is any one left, who will comply with its arbitrary dictates! Don't you think, Mr. Montgomery, that every one is at liberty to do as they please?’

‘Not knowing to what latitude you extend your question,’ said Montgomery, ‘I am at a loss to answer you; but if you mean, that people are always at liberty to follow their own inclinations, surely not. And think, if they were to do so, what a countless number of ills would ensue!’

‘You take things in too serious a light,’ said Miss Moreton; ‘I am merely talking of those little gratifications of whim, taste, (caprice, if you will) which the tyrant world, and custom, would forbid our sex to enjoy; and which are perfectly harmless in their nature.