instance, I am prepared myself, great as would be the
sacrifice, even to renounce the claim of secondary titles for
our eldest sons, if for instance they would secure us our
coronet."

"Fie, fie, Sir Vavasour," said Egremont very seriously,
"remember principle: no expediency, no compromise."

"You are right," said the baronet, colouring a little; "and do
you know, Mr Egremont, you are the only individual I have yet
met out of the Order, who has taken a sensible view of this
great question, which, after all, is the question of the day."




Book 2 Chapter 3



The situation of the rural town of Marney was one of the most
delightful easily to be imagined. In a spreading dale,
contiguous to the margin of a clear and lively stream,
surrounded by meadows and gardens, and backed by lofty hills,
undulating and richly wooded, the traveller on the opposite
heights of the dale would often stop to admire the merry
prospect, that recalled to him the traditional epithet of his
country.

Beautiful illusion! For behind that laughing landscape,