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Upon my word, madam," says she, "it was very good to take this care ofMiss Western; but common humanity, as well as regard to our family,requires it of us both; for it would be a dreadful match indeed."Mrs Fitzpatrick failed not to make a proper return to the complimentwhich Lady Bellaston had bestowed on her cousin, and, after somelittle immaterial conversation, withdrew; and, getting as fast as shecould into her chair, unseen by Sophia or Honour, returned home.Chapter iv.Which consists of visiting.Mr Jones had walked within sight of a certain door during the wholeday, which, though one of the shortest, appeared to him to be one ofthe longest in the whole year. At length, the clock having struckfive, he returned to Mrs Fitzpatrick, who, though it was a full hourearlier than the decent time of visiting, received him very civilly;but still persisted in her ignorance concerning Sophia.Jones, in asking for his angel, had dropped the word cousin, uponwhich Mrs Fitzpatrick said, "Then, sir, you know we are related: and,as we are, you will permit me the right of enquiring into theparticulars of your business with my cousin." Here Jones hesitated agood while, and at last answered, "He had a considerable sum of moneyof hers in his hands, which he desired to deliver to her." He thenproduced the pocket-book, and acquainted Mrs Fitzpatrick with thecontents, and with the method in which they came into his hands. Hehad scarce finished his story, when a most violent noise shook thewhole house. To attempt to describe this noise to those who have heardit would be in vain; and to aim at giving any idea of it to those whohave never heard the like, would be still more vain: for it may betruly said--_--Non acutaSic geminant Corybantes aera._The priests of Cybele do not so rattle their sounding brass.In short, a footman knocked, or rather thundered, at the door. Joneswas a little surprized at the sound, having never heard it before; butMrs Fitzpatrick very calmly said, that, as some company were coming,she could not make him any answer now; but if he pleased to stay tillthey were gone, she intimated she had something to say to him.The door of the room now flew open, and, after pushing in her hoopsideways before her, entered Lady Bellaston, who having first made avery low courtesy to Mrs Fitzpatrick, and as low a one to Mr Jones,was ushered to the upper end of the room.We mention these minute matters for the sake of some country ladies ofour acquaintance, who think it contrary to the rules of modesty tobend their knees to a man.The company were hardly well settled, before the arrival of the peerlately mentioned, caused a fresh disturbance, and a repetition ofceremonials.