m; played billiards with him, and lost; had indeed every
accomplishment that could please woman or ease man; could sing, dance,
draw, make artificial flies, break horses, exercise a supervision
over stewards and bailiffs, and make every body comfortable by taking
everything on his own shoulders.

Lady Marney had received Egremont in a manner which expressed the
extreme satisfaction she experienced at finding him once more beneath
his brother's roof. When he arrived indeed, he would have preferred
to have been shown at once to his rooms, but a message immediately
delivered expressed the wish of his sister-in-law at once to see him.
She received him alone and with great warmth. She was beautiful, and
soft as May; a glowing yet delicate face; rich brown hair, and large
blue eyes; not yet a mother, but with something of the dignity of the
matron blending with the lingering timidity of the girl.

Egremont was glad to join his sister-in-law again in the drawing-room
before dinner. He seated himself by her side; and in answer to her
enquiries was giving her some narrative of his travels; the Vicar who
was very low church, was shaking his head at Lady Marney's young friend,
who was enlarging on the excellence of Mr Paget's tales; while Captain
Grouse, in a very stiff white neck-cloth, very tight pantaloons, to show
his very celebrated legs, transparent stockings and polished shoes,
was throwing himself into attitudes in the back ground, and with a zeal
amounting almost to enthusiasm, teaching Lady Marney's spaniel to
beg; when the door opened, and Lord Marney entered, but as if to make
security doubly sure, not alone. He was accompanied by a neighbour and
brother magistrate, Sir Vavasour Firebrace, a baronet of the earliest
batch, and a gentleman of great family and great estate.

"Well Charles!"

"How are you George?"

And the brothers shook hands.

'Tis the English way; and if they had been inclined to fall into each
other's arms, they would not probably have done more.

In a few minutes it was announced that dinner was served, and so,
secured from a scene, having a fair appetite, and surrounded by dishes
that could agreeably satisfy it, a kind of vague fraternal sentiment
began to stir the breast of Lord Marney: he really was glad to see
his brother again; remembered the days when they rode their poneys and
played cricket; his voice softened, his eyes sparkled, and he at length
exclaimed, "Do you know, old fellow, it