The projected visit of the two sisters to Ormond Hall, was punctually put in execution; and though, at first, their reception was somewhat repelling, the half-angry Baronet gradually relented, and changed his dry monosyllables, and forbidding looks, for bantering reproaches, and jocose threatenings.

‘A dutiful set of boys and girls I have the felicity to be connected with!’ cried he, pinching Ella by the ear. ‘A pretty behaved / niece you have been, Mistress Ella, and surprisingly impatient to prove your affection, by coming to see me! And you have a sweet, unencroaching, reasonable, and considerate brother, the easiest in the world to satisfy, and always more ready to think of others than himself! He is not one, who, if you give him an inch, will take an ell! Oh no, it would be heresy to suppose it; I am, on the contrary, in admiration of his marvellous discretion!’

‘And I, dear uncle,’ said Ella, sitting down on the arm of his easy chair, ‘am in admiration of the courage with which you can find in your heart to chide a poor little niece, who, in a burning sun, has come seven miles to see you, and instead of such treatment, expected to be rewarded with a good plate of strawberries.’

The playful smile and accent with which this was spoken, completely mollified all that remained of the old gentleman's ill-humour; / and bidding her ring the bell, and order whatever she chose, he turned to Mrs. Fitzmaurice, and said: ‘Now, then, my bonny Bess, since this saucy girl is impracticable, and won't allow me to give her the lecture she deserves, I shall direct all my spite against you, or rather, against your varlet of a husband! Pray, why did he not come with you this morning? Was he afraid, pretty master! of the heat?