CHAPTER IV. "There'll be a coat o'er the chair, "There'll be the little one's charms Soon 'twill be wakened for somebody: Oh! but how blest will be somebody!" THE next day was fine; so John, immediately after breakfast, marched off on a tour of visits among his parishioners, fortified by Emily's best wishes. Then Emily and her maids almost turned the house inside out. It was a mercy baby was not swept away as an atom of dust. Heartily tired, but bright and cheerful as ever, in the evening Emily dressed herself in a little, simple, white cotton gown, and smoothing her curls until they looked all gold, she went, with wearied and slow steps, downstairs into the snuggery to prepare tea for John, and to sit and have a good chat over all his adventures. She was just in time (this, however, often happened with Emily), for John came inall in a glow with exercise and kindly feeling, which extended into his heart of hearts as he peeped into the snuggery, and saw the fair angel that brightened his hearth looking so delicate and pretty in her white dress, the languor of fatigue adding to the interest of her appearance. John blessed her in his heart as he went upstairs to make himself fit to be seen by so fair a vision. Emily." Now, dearest John, I hope you have enjoyed your tea, as I have. So I will recline in the old arm-chair ; for I mean to do nothing, all this evening, but listen to your adventures." John had truly enjoyed his tea, and, nothing loth to obey Emily's wishes, thus commenced: John's adventures, with Emily's comments thereon. "In the first place, I went,, of course, to the Castle, that I might in person thank Lord Bernard for the presentation to this living." "Quite right, John." "It is situated on a high eminence, about a mile from here, overlooking a vast amount of works, of works, foundries, hills, and country. The view from it is of course much more curious than beautiful, for Lord Bernard is able almost, as it were, to look down into the yawning, fiery mouths of his furnaces. At night I can imagine nothing more wonderful." "I dare say it is, John-you know I told you we should be much struck with this country." John shook his head. He was doubtful whether all things wonderful were at the same time pleasant. "The Castle itself stands in so prominent a position that it must appear to even the smallest boy picking up cinders about the works to be watching him individually. It is built in a noble and bold style; the stone roughly hewn, but of a close fine grain, and peculiarly tinted. Though not old, it is already mossgrown, which adds to the air of solidity and strength; and it is sufficiently elevated above the reach of the smoke to retain its own gray colour. I went beneath an archway, large enough for a carriage to drive under, where was the door-bell, which I rang. This was speedily answered by a respectable-looking elderly servant, dressed in black, with very white hair (John was always very precise), and two other servants also appeared, dressed in livery, I presume, as I saw much of their legs cased in white stockings. So I gave my card, on receiving which, and reading the name, the elderly servant bowed very politely; and waving away the others, I conclude, as they left immediately, he ushered me himself into a very handsome library. There, seated at a writing-table, was Lord Bernard, who came forward "What is he like, John-is he handsome?" "Why, I should say he was handsome, and young. About thirty, I should think; but I forgot, in the pleasure of conversing with him, to observe him much, because, you know, Emily, when I am interested 99 "Yes, I know, John." |