CHAPTER THE FIRST

“I cannot imagine,” said Sir Godfrey to his Lady, “why we continue in such deplorable Lodgings as these, in a paltry Market-town, while we have 3 good Houses of our own situated in some of the finest parts of England, and perfectly ready to receive us!”

“I’m sure Sir Godfrey,” replied Lady Marlow, “it has been much against my inclination that we have staid here so long; or why we should ever have come at all indeed, has been to me a wonder, as none of our Houses have been in the least want of repair.”

“Nay my dear,” answered Sir Godfrey, “you are the last person who ought to be displeased with what was always meant as a compliment to you; for you cannot but be sensible of the very great inconvenience your Daughters and I have been put to during the 2 years we have remained crowded in these Lodgings in order to give you pleasure.”

“My dear,” replied Lady Marlow, “How can you stand and tell such lies, when you very well know that it was merely to oblige the Girls and you, that I left a most commodious House situated in a most delightfull Country and surrounded by a most agreable Neighbourhood, to live 2 years cramped up in Lodgings three pair of stairs high, in a smokey and unwholesome town, which has given me a continual fever and almost thrown me into a Consumption.”

As, after a few more speeches on both sides they could not determine which was the most to blame, they prudently laid aside the debate, and having packed up their Cloathes and paid their rent, they set out the next morning with their 2 Daughters for their seat in Sussex.

Sir Godfrey and Lady Marlow were indeed very sensible people and tho’ (as in this instance) like many other sensible People, they sometimes did a foolish thing, yet in general their actions were guided by Prudence and regulated by discretion.

After a Journey of two Days and a half they arrived at Marlhurst in good health and high spirits; so overjoyed were they all to inhabit again a place, they had left with mutual regret for two years, that they ordered the bells to be rung and distributed ninepence among the Ringers.