prodigiously，andthreateningtodriveheroffthatveryinstanttoCourtinacoach-and-four。Shehadtheransackingofthewardrobesofthetwodefunctladies，andcutandhackedtheirposthumousfinerysoastosuitherowntastesandfigure。Andshewouldhavelikedtotakepossessionoftheirjewelsandtrinketstoo；buttheoldBaronethadlockedthemawayinhisprivatecabinet；
norcouldshecoaxorwheedlehimoutofthekeys。Anditisafact，thatsometimeaftersheleftQueen’sCrawleyacopy-bookbelongingtothisladywasdiscovered，whichshowedthatshehadtakengreatpainsinprivatetolearntheartofwritingingeneral，andespeciallyofwritingherownnameasLadyCrawley，LadyBetsyHorrocks，LadyElizabethCrawley，&c。
ThoughthegoodpeopleoftheParsonageneverwenttotheHallandshunnedthehorridolddotarditsowner，yettheykeptastrictknowledgeofallthathappenedthere，andwerelookingouteverydayforthecatastropheforwhichMissHorrockswasalsoeager。ButFateintervenedenviouslyandpreventedherfromreceivingtherewardduetosuchimmaculateloveandvirtue。
OnedaytheBaronetsurprised“herladyship。”ashejocularlycalledher，seatedatthatoldandtunelesspianointhedrawing-room，whichhadscarcelybeentouchedsinceBeckySharpplayedquadrillesuponit——seatedatthepianowiththeutmostgravityandsquallingtothebestofherpowerinimitationofthemusicwhichshehadsometimesheard。Thelittlekitchen-maidonherpromotionwasstandingathermistress’sside，quitedelightedduringtheoperation，andwaggingherheadupanddownandcrying，“Lor，Mum，’tisbittiful“——justlikeagenteelsycophantinarealdrawing-room。
ThisincidentmadetheoldBaronetroarwithlaughter，asusual。HenarratedthecircumstanceadozentimestoHorrocksinthecourseoftheevening，andgreatlytothediscomfitureofMissHorrocks。Hethrummedonthetableasifithadbeenamusicalinstrument，andsqualledinimitationofhermannerofsinging。Hevowedthatsuchabeautifulvoiceoughttobecultivatedanddeclaredsheoughttohavesinging-masters，inwhichproposalsshesawnothingridiculous。Hewasingreatspiritsthatnight，anddrankwithhisfriendandbutleranextraordinaryquantityofrum-and-water——ataverylatehourthefaithfulfriendanddomesticconductedhismastertohisbedroom。