26.—Comes home full of new airs and graces—more surprised than ever that she is still single, and begins to fancy she could live very comfortably, if not in a cottage, at least upon a very moderate scale.
27.—Thinks the conversation of rational men infinitely preferable to flirting.
28.—Looks at matrimony as desirable in the way of an establishment, in case of the death of her uncle—leaves off dancing generally—talks of getting old.
29.—Same system—still ineffective—still talks of getting aged—surprised that men do not laugh as they did, when she said so a year or two before.
30.—Begins to inquire when a spinster becomes an old maid.
31.—Dresses more fantastically than ever—rouges a little—country-house not so agreeable as it used to be—goes everywhere in town—becomes good-natured to young girls, and joins in acting charades and dumb proverbs.
32.—Hates balls, or, if she goes to them, likes to sit still and talk to clever middle-aged gentlemen.
33.—Wonders why men of sense prefer flirting with girls to the enjoyment of rational conversation with sensible women.
34.—Uncle dies—break-up of establishment—remains with her aunt—feels old enough to go about without a chaperon.
35.—Takes to cards, where they are played—gives up harp, pianoforte, and singing—beaten out of the field by her juniors.