"This baronet has fallen from his throne, in a moment of seeming prosperity and revelry; why may not another do the same ?" Mrs.Dutton heard the voice, without distinguishing the words, and she felt distressed at the idea that one whom she so much respected and loved, might be judged of harshly, by a man of the rear-admiral's character.
"Sir Wycherly is one of the kindest-hearted men, breathing," she said, a little hurriedly; "and there is not a better landlord in England.

Then he is by no means addicted to indulgence at table, more than is customary with gentlemen of his station.

His loyalty has, no doubt, carried him this evening farther than was prudent, or than we could have wished." "I have every disposition to think favourably of our poor host, my dear Mrs.Dutton; and we seamen are not accustomed to judge a _bon vivant_ too harshly." "Ah! Admiral Bluewater, _you_, who have so wide-spread a reputation for sobriety and correct deportment! Well do I remember how I trembled, when I heard your name mentioned as one of the leading members of that dreadful court!" "You let your recollections dwell too much on these unpleasant subjects, Mrs.Dutton, and I should like to see you setting an example of greater cheerfulness to your sweet daughter.

I could not befriend you, _then_, for my oath and my duty were both against it; but, _now_, there exists no possible reason, why I should not; while there does exist almost every possible disposition, why I should.

This sweet child interests me in a way I can hardly describe." Mrs.Dutton was silent and thoughtful.