Chapter 1. Characters
_ CHAPTER I. CHARACTERS
Mrs. Stanhope, a well-bred woman, accomplished in that branch of knowledge which is called the art of rising in the world, had, with but a small fortune, contrived to live in the highest company. She prided herself upon having established half a dozen nieces most happily, that is to say, upon having married them to men of fortunes far superior to their own. One niece still remained unmarried--Belinda Portman, of whom she was determined to get rid with all convenient expedition. Belinda was handsome, graceful, sprightly, and highly accomplished； her aunt had endeavoured to teach her that a young lady‘s chief business is to please in society, that all her charms and accomplishments should be invariably subservient to one grand object--the establishing herself in the world:
"For this, hands, lips, and eyes were put to school,
And each instructed feature had its rule."

Mrs. Stanhope did not find Belinda such a docile pu

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