CHAPTER IV.

Gather the rose-buds while ye may,

Old Time is still a-flying;

And that same flower that blooms to-day,

To-morrow shall be dying.

HERRICK.

THE world might suppose that Mr. Dunstanville could not do better than besiege the rich widow and repair his fortunes; yet he, as well as Lady Lovel, had his prejudices against a second essay on the holy estate, and although he occasionally visited her Ladyship, his family were but little known to her, except through the means of Obadiah or some other of her dependents, who on market days exchanged ideas with the privileged Pearce, labouring under "boiled beef and carrots," and a horn of the

butler's best, which, together with Old Peggy, his master and the boys, he loved dearly.

Pride, though high in public, sometimes descends to its parent root, meanness, in private. Lady Lovel was not exempt from this failing; and listened secretly to the stories of particular servants, respecting her neighbours' concerns, with a complacency she would scorn to admit to the world.

Obadiah knew how to be acceptable unto her Ladyship, and became mellifluous under the influence of the pleasure of pleasing; for which purpose, the morning after market days usually found him an hour longer in the presence of his

mistress.

It was on one of these occasions that he had, unseen by the world, doffed his hat and bent his body alike against its natural curvature and his own creed, on entering Lady Lovel's sanctum

sanctorum.

66 'Well, Mr. Sims," said her Ladyship, (for well was her word of audience,) "these papers

appear all correct."-"Yes, my Lady, of course," answered the man of business.-" But what news is there in town, Mr. Sims ?"-" None in particular," answered Mr. Sims, "except that Master Pearce did make known unto me that one of the youths of George Dunstanville was to be sent into the Sovereign's service by sea, and that it is proposed he should quit his father's dwelling forthwith. Pearce reporteth that he is a quiet youth, and that the oldest is fittest for the King, he being a less sober and more sprightly person."

"I have not heard of Mr. Dunstanville lately," said Lady Lovel.

"He abideth much within the chambers of his own house," replied Obadiah, "and instructeth his seed in a godly way, with the aid of Felix Barnes, who continueth to dig in the bowels of the earth in search of the knowledge of this world; but it seemeth unto me there is little but vanity to be gained thereby."

"And Mr. Rickets ?" said Lady Lovel.

"He runneth on four wheels in his unseemly ways," continued the Quaker, "and taketh delight in swearing, strong drink, and vain raiment."

"And Sarah Marsh ?" interrupted her Ladyship.

"The harlot hath departed from her dwelling, and no one knoweth whither she is gone."

While her Ladyship was thus engaged, observing persons riding up the avenue, she dismissed Obadiah, and proceeded to one of the morning-rooms, where Charlotte and her governess were at their daily occupations.

The group on horseback was no other than the Dunstanvilles, advancing at a brisk rate towards the house; while Carlo, a favourite spaniel, jumped and barked at Ramrod's nose, as the playful animal snorted, pranced, and threw up his head, to the great delight of his young rider.

Morland had, for the last twelve months, been destined for the Navy, and his education

directed to the minor branches of mathematics and nautical astronomy, which were necessary in that profession, and the day of his departure being fixed, Mr. Dunstanville took that opportunity of calling with his boys on his neighbours.

They alighted at the mansion, and were presently ushered into a very handsome room, where Lady Lovel was seated on a sofa, with a table before her, interspersed with books, letters, &c. while her daughter and governess were engaged with drawing utensils near the window.

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The meeting of the party was as courteous, friendly, and agreeable, as the every things and nothings of salutation could be supposed to make it and when they were seated, Lady Lovel had not finished telling Mr. Dunstanville that it was an age since she had either seen or heard of him; indeed, that he had been a perfect hermit, but a bad neighbour; and that she hoped this visit augured better for her.