I was determined, however, to anticipate their fury, by first falling into a passion myself.
But, alas! upon entering, I found the family no way disposed for battle.
My wife and girls were all in tears, Mr Thornhill having been there that day to inform them, that their journey to town was entirely over.

The two ladies having heard reports of us from some malicious person about us, were that day set out for London.

He could neither discover the tendency, nor the author of these, but whatever they might be, or whoever might have broached them, he continued to assure our family of his friendship and protection.

I found, therefore, that they bore my disappointment with great resignation, as it was eclipsed in the greatness of their own.

But what perplexed us most was to think who could be so base as to asperse the character of a family so harmless as ours, too humble to excite envy, and too inoffensive to create disgust..