time of night!" said Mr
Nixon. "I'd as soon think of going down the pit with the windlass turned
by lushy Bob."

"Tayn't a journey for Christians," said Juggins.

"They're a very queer lot even in sunshine," said another.

"And how far is it?" asked the stranger.

"I walked there once in three hours," said a collier, "but that was to
the wake. If you want to see divils carnal, there's your time of day.
They're no less than heathens, I be sure. I'd be sorry to see even our
butty among them, for he is a sort of a Christian when he has taken a
glass of ale."

Book 3 Chapter 2

Two days after the visit of Egremont to the cottage of Walter Gerard,
the visit of the Marney family to Mowbray terminated, and they returned
to the Abbey.

There is something mournful in the breaking up of an agreeable party,
and few are the roofs in which one has sojourned, which are quitted
without some feeling of depression. The sudden cessation of all those
sources of excitement which pervade a gay and well arranged mansion in
the country, unstrings the nervous system. For a week or so, we have
done nothing which was not agreeable, and heard nothing which was not
pleasant. Our self-love has been respected; there has been a total
cessation of petty cares; all the enjoyment of an establisnment without
any of its solicitude. We have beheld civilization only in its favoured
aspect, and tasted only the sunny side of the fruit. Sometimes there are
associations with our visit of a still sweeter and softer character, but
on these we need not dwell: glances that cannot be forgotten, and tones
that linger in the ear; sentiment that subdues the soul, and flirtation
that agitates the fancy. No matter, whatever may be the cause, one too
often drives away from a country-house, rather hipped. The specific
would be immediately to drive to another, and it is a favourite remedy.
But sometimes it is not in our power; sometimes for instance we must
return to our household gods in the shape of a nursery; and though this
was not the form assumed by the penates of Lord Marney, his presence,
the presence of an individual so important and so indefatigable, was
still required. His Lordship had passed his time at Mowbray to his
satisfaction. He had had his own way in everything. His selfishness had
not received a single shock. He had lain down the law and it had not
been questioned. He had dogmatised and impugned, and his assertions
had passed current,