The remainder of that day was a very

dreary one. Fresh thorns had been scathumble path of poor Jane

tered in the

Cleve !

CHAPTER VI.

England is at present as polite a country as any in the world; but the affectation of being gay, and in fashion, has eaten up our good sense and sense of religion. The follies of the day are supported by no other pretension than that they are accomplished with what is called a good grace.

STEELE.

HAD not George Joddrell, in the consciousness of his mean motives and the shame of their disappointment, issued severe orders to his servant and the postboys, previous to their return to Hindon Manor, that not a word was to transpire concerning their morning's expedition, not a soul of them would have been at the pains to utter a syllable.

But the interdiction implied something extraordinary; and John in the servant's

hall, and the boys in the stables, became accordingly mighty curious as to what could have taken the party to visit a house where there was no one to receive them; and to seek entertainment at another, where nothing was forthcoming.

By dressing-time, enough had been transmitted by the ladies' maids to the Clutterbucks and the maiden aunts, to suggest the "dear delight of giving pain" by the nature and perseverance of their questions.

But their antagonists were forewarned and fore-armed.

"I am afraid you had a sad unprofitable journey this morning?" said Charlotte Corbet to the elder of her nieces, before the soup was removed from the table.

"By no means!" said Lady Hillingdon, taking the explanation into her own hands. "The drive was charming!-I was delighted to renew my acquaintance with scenery that reminded me of old times.

Still, as your object was to renew your acquaintance with Mrs Hecksworth

"Before we got half way to Bilston, again interrupted her ladyship, "I knew that to be impossible. Old Towler, whom I fancied was in his grave, but whom we were so unlucky as to meet at Hopton tollbar, apprised me that we were too late. When I promised Mrs Hecksworth a visit, we expected to be here a week ago. It was from knowing she was about to depart for Italy, I was in such haste to accomplish the expedition."

"And spite of everything, and of disappointing my father, you were too late after all!" cried Mrs Clutterbuck with a provoking smile.

"You are not the only person, I can assure you," added her sister Charlotte, "whom the heiress's sudden departure has left in the lurch. I hope, George," said she still more

VOL. II.

H

vexatiously, "that you liked the looks of the estate?"_

"Amazingly!" was the cool reply of young Joddrell, less easily put out of countenance than his mother and sisters. "I regretted only I had not taken my land surveyor with me, to form an estimate on the spot."

on

"Bilston is a very pretty place, grandpapa?" said Mary, addressing Mr Corbet, as if to obtain his interference.

"I have never seen the new house, my dear. It is out of our distance.-The roads are much too bad."

"Not out of distance or too bad for post-horses, it seems! - observed Caroline Clutterbuck, with an indignant glance at her cousin George.

"Post-horses, my dear Car., are out of distance for my purse," replied the old gentleman, good-humouredly. "We are forced to