CONNECTING ACQUAINTANCE. 19 



that they also would be obliged by being per- 

 mitted to listen to the conversation. 



I am glad. Madam/' said I, not only 

 that my auditory is enlarged, but that you 

 agree with me in thinking that general know- 

 ledge and literary and scientific information 

 should not be confined to the sons of a family. 

 Such is the opinion and practice of my esteem- 

 ed friend, Mr. Longhurst, at whose house I 

 am spending a few weeks of this delightful 

 season." 



Mr. Longhurst, of Ashfield, I presume," 

 said she, with evident satisfaction. I have 

 recently had the happiness of an introduction 

 to the very amiable and intelligent family re- 

 siding there ; and regret that distance renders 

 our visits unfrequent." 



By this fortunate coincidence, we soon be- 

 came known, and introduced respectively by 



c 2 



