fairly owned she could not part with her favourite. Pitt and his wife came therefore and lived with Miss
Crawley: and (greatly to the annoyance of poor Pitt, who conceived himself a most injured characterbeing
subject to the humours of his aunt on one side, and of his mother-in-law on the other) Lady Southdown,
from her neighbouring house, reigned over the whole family Pitt, Lady Jane, Miss Crawley, Briggs,
Bowls, Firkin, and all. She pitilessly dosed them with her tracts and her medicine, she dismissed Creamer,
she installed Rodgers, and soon stripped Miss Crawley of even the semblance of authority. The poor
soul grew so timid that she actually left off bullying Briggs any more, and clung to her niece, more fond
and terrified every day. Peace to thee, kind and selfish, vain and generous old heathen! We shall see
thee no more. Let us hope that Lady Jane supported her kindly, and led her with gentle hand out of the
busy struggle of Vanity Fair.