Anne, meanwhile, was
trying to account for Elizabeth's ever having thought of going to
such a place, wondering what Sir Edward and Lady Merton would think
of the expedition, and for a moment considering whether Mr.
Woodbourne could approve of it, yet at the same time keenly enjoying
all that was ludicrous in the scene, and longing to talk it over with
Rupert. She was also much diverted with Mr. Augustus Mills's
eloquent lecture, in which she afterwards declared that she heard the
words 'barbarous institution' fifteen times repeated, and 'civilized
and enlightened age,' at least twenty-three times. She was, however,
not a little fatigued before it was nearly concluded, and was
heartily glad when after an hour and a half it was terminated by a
mighty flourish of rhetoric, upon the universal toleration,
civilization, and liberty enjoyed in the nineteenth century.
Deafened by the applause of those who had heard little and understood
less, half stifled by the heat of the room, and their heads aching
from the smell of gas, the girls now hoped to escape; but they were
forced to wait till the crowd nearer the door had dispersed, and then
to listen to the numerous compliments and congratulations which
poured in upon Mrs.
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