Rundell's for the new service of plate,--and the splendid
alterations and additions just made to the old family hall,--with
~289~~numerous other most provoking items which the old steward had
conjured up, as if on purpose, to abridge the pleasures of Lady Mary's
intended tour. "It was very _distressing_--she heartily wished there
was no such thing as money in the world--it made people very
miserable--they were a much happier couple, she contended, when they
were merely Honourables, and lived upon a paltry two thousand and
the expectancy--there never was any difficulty then about money
transactions, and a proposition for a trip to a watering-place was
always hailed with pleasure."--"True, Lady Mary; but then you forget we
travelled in a stage coach, with your maid on the outside, while my
man servant, with a led-horse, followed or preceded us. Then, we were
content with lodgings on the West-cliff, and the use of a kitchen: now,
we require a splendid establishment, must travel in our own chariot,
occupy half a mews with our horses, and fill half a good-sized barrack
with our servants. Then, we could live snug, accept an invitation to
dinner with a commoner, and walk or ride about as we pleased, without
being pointed at as _lions_ or _raro aves_ just broke loose from the
great state aviary at St.
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