"A few days afterwards, I saw her ladyship again, and found, by her manner,
that she had not been satisfied by Sir Amyas Courtney's report of me. She
pressed me to tell her all that had passed between us. She was provoked by
my imprudence, as she called it, about the shell, and exhorted me to repair
it by future attentions and complaisance. When I declined paying court to
Sir Amyas, as inconsistent with my ideas and feelings of independence, her
ladyship grew angry--said that my father had inspired all his sons with
absurd notions of independence, which would prevent their rising in the
world, or succeeding in any profession. I believe I then grew warm in
defence of my father and myself. The conclusion of the whole was, that we
remained of our own opinions, and that her ladyship protested she would
never more attempt to serve us. Alfred has called since on Lady Jane, but
has not been admitted. I am sorry that I too have offended her, for I
really like her, and am grateful for her kindness, but I cannot court her
patronage, nor bend to her idol, Sir Amyas.--

"Your affectionate son,

"ERASMUS PERCY."


LETTER FROM ERASMUS PERCY TO HIS FATHER.

"MY DEAR FATHER,

"I told you in my last how I lost all hopes of favour from Sir Amyas
Courtney, and how determined I was not to bend to him.--On some occasion
soon afterwards this determination appeared, and recommended me immediately
to the notice of a certain Dr. Frumpton, who is the antagonist and sworn