tlewood was puzzled to know
what sudden freak or scheme had occasioned this prodigious amiability
on the part of his aunt; but did not allow the slightest expression of
solicitude or doubt to appear on his countenance, which wore every mark
of the most perfect satisfaction.

The Baroness's good-humour infected the whole family; not one person at
table escaped a gracious word from her. In reply to some compliment to
Mr. Will, when that artless youth uttered an expression of satisfaction
and surprise at his aunt's behaviour, she frankly said: "Complimentary,
my dear! Of course I am. I want to make up with you for having been
exceedingly rude to everybody this morning. When I was a child, and my
father and mother were alive, and lived here, I remember I used to adopt
exactly the same behaviour. If I had been naughty in the morning, I used
to try and coax my parents at night. I remember in this very room, at
this very table--oh, ever so many hundred years ago!--so coaxing my
father, and mother, and your grandfather, Harry Warrington; and there
were eels for supper, as we have had them to-night, and it was that dish
of collared eels which brought the circumstance back to my mind. I
had been just as wayward that day, when I was seven years old, as I
am to-day, when I am seventy, and so I confess my sins, and ask to be
forgiven, like a good girl."

"I absolve your ladyship!" cried the chaplain, who made one of the
party.

"But your reverence does not know how cross and ill-tempered I was. I
scolded my sister, Castlewood: I scolded her children, I boxed Harry
Warrington's ears: and all because he would not go with me to Tunbridge
Wells."

"But I will go, madam; I will ride with you with all the pleasure in
life," said Mr. Warrington.

"You see, Mr. Chaplain, what good, dutiful children they all are. 'Twas
I alone who was cross and peevish. Oh, it was cruel of me to treat them
so! Maria, I ask your pardon, my dear."

"Sure, madam, you have done me no wrong," says Maria to this humble
suppliant.

"Indeed, I have, a very great wrong, child! Because I was weary of
myself, I told you that your company would be wearisome to me. You
offered to come with me to Tunbridge, and I rudely refused you."

"Nay, ma'am, if you were sick, and my presence annoyed you...

"But it will not annoy me! You were most kind to say that you would
come. I do, of all things, beg, pray, entreat, implore, command that you
will come."

My lord fi