Never had Mrs.Dutton spoken, even to Mildred, of the besetting and degrading vice of her husband; but it had been impossible to conceal its painful consequences from the world; much less from one who lived in the bosom of her family.

On that failing which the wife treated so tenderly, the daughter of course could not touch; but the silent communion of tears had got to be so sweet to both, that, within the last year, it was of very frequent occurrence.
"Really, Mildred," said the mother, at length, after having succeeded in suppressing her emotion, and in drying her eyes, while she smiled fondly in the face of the lovely and affectionate girl; "this Admiral Bluewater is getting to be so particular, I hardly know how to treat the matter." "Oh! mother, he is a delightful old gentleman! and he is so gentle, while he is so frank, that he wins your confidence almost before you know it.

I wonder if he could have been serious in what he said about the noble daring and noble deserving of Prince Edward!" "That must pass for trifling, of course; the ministry would scarcely employ any but a true whig, in command of a fleet.

I saw several of his family, when a girl, and have always heard them spoken of with esteem and respect.

Lord Bluewater, this gentleman's cousin, was very intimate with the present Lord Wilmeter, and was often at the castle.