Mr. Mohun's property was good, but he wished to avoid
unnecessary display and expense, and he expected his daughters to
follow out these views, keeping a wise check upon Emily, by looking
over her accounts every Saturday, and turning a deaf ear when she
talked of the age of the drawing-room carpet, and the ugliness of the
old chariot. Emily had a good deal on her hands, requiring sense and
activity, but Lilias and Jane were now quite old enough to assist
her. Lily however, thought fit to despise all household affairs, and
bestowed the chief of her attention on her own department--the
village school and poor people; and she was also much engrossed by
her music and drawing, her German and Italian, and her verse writing.
Claude had more power over her than any one else. He was a gentle,
amiable boy, of high talent, but disposed to indolence by ill health.
In most matters he was, however, victorious over this propensity,
which was chiefly visible in his love of easy chairs, and his dislike
of active sports, which made him the especial companion of his
sisters. A dangerous illness had occasioned his removal from Eton,
and he had since been at home, reading with his cousin Mr.
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