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We were married and went home to a sweet 

 little place which Mr. P. had on the banks of 

 Ulleswater. The estate was small, but had been 

 in his family for ages ; the house was a two-story 

 building of olden times with projecting windows ; 

 it was situated in a valley which was sheltered 

 from every cold blast, and altogether looked as 

 if it must be a happy home. 



" You are mistress of this humble place, 

 Gertrude," said Mr. P. ; " and over my purse 

 you have unbounded power. Your wishes are 

 moderate, and you well know that our expenses 

 must be limited by discretion. This property has 

 been sufficient for my father and my ancestors; 

 I hope you will assist me in preserving it free 

 from debt and incumbrance for my successors. 

 Of few things I have a greater horror than the 

 disgrace of debt. Remember then, dearest 

 Gertrude, that in our present situation economy 

 becomes an essential duty." 



I considered this speech as so very devoid of 

 sentiment, that I did not deign to reply. 



In a few weeks, my mother came to visit us ; 

 in her own kind manner, she assisted me in my 

 domestic arrangements, with as much anxiety, 

 I thought, as if matter of life or death ; and 

 having established me with good servants, and 

 put into my head more ideas than I had ever 

 admitted before on the subject, she left me in a 

 very happy state. 



