But in the House of Ladies I hold my tongue, because there is abundance without it." This, however, he failed to do when the matter came to the issue; for his godchild Horatia, more commonly called Dolly, happened to be in the mood for taking outrageous liberties with him.

She possessed very little of that gift--most precious among women--the sense of veneration; and to her a hero was only a man heroic in acts of utility.

"He shall do it," she said to Faith, when she heard that he was come again; "if I have to kiss him, he shall do it; and I don't like kissing those old men." "Hush!" said her elder sister.

"Dolly, you do say things so recklessly.
One would think that you liked to kiss younger men! But I am sure that is not your meaning.

I would rather kiss Lord Nelson than all the young men in the kingdom." "Well done, Faith! All the young men in the kingdom! How recklessly you do say things! And you can't kiss him--he is MY godfather.