t, and passes on primly, with
expressions of horror, and a fan before her eyes. The village had
heard how the young Virginian squire had beaten Mr. Will at riding, at
jumping, at shooting, and finally at card-playing, for everything is
known; and they respected Harry all the more for this superiority. Above
all, they admired him on account of the reputation of enormous wealth
which Gumbo had made for his master. This fame had travelled over the
whole county, and was preceding him at this moment on the boxes of
Madame Bernstein's carriages, from which the valets, as they descended
at the inns to bait, spread astounding reports of the young Virginian's
rank and splendour. He was a prince in his own country. He had gold
mines, diamond mines, furs, tobaccos, who knew what, or how much?
No wonder the honest Britons cheered him and respected him for his
prosperity, as the noble-hearted fellows always do. I am surprised city
corporations did not address him, and offer gold boxes with the freedom
of the city--he was so rich. Ah, a proud thing it is to be a Briton, and
think that there is no country where prosperity is so much respected as
in ours; and where success receives such constant affecting testimonials
of loyalty!

So, leaving the villagers bawling, and their hats tossing in the air,
Harry spurred his sorry beast, and galloped, with Gumbo behind him,
until he came up with the cloud of dust in the midst of which his
charmer's chariot was enveloped. Penetrating into this cloud, he found
himself at the window of the carriage. The Lady Maria had the back seat
to herself; by keeping a little behind the wheels, he could have the
delight of seeing her divine eyes and smiles. She held a finger to her
lip. Madame Bernstein was already dozing on her cushions. Harry did not
care to disturb the old lady. To look at his cousin was bliss enough for
him. The landscape around him might be beautiful, but what did he heed
it? All the skies and trees of summer were as nothing compared to
yonder face; the hedgerow birds sang no such sweet music as her sweet
monosyllables.

The Baroness's fat horses were accustomed to short journeys, easy paces,
and plenty of feeding; so that, ill as Harry Warrington was mounted, he
could, without much difficulty, keep pace with his elderly kinswoman. At
two o'clock they baited for a couple of hours for dinner. Mr. Warrington
paid the landlord generously. What price could be too great for the
pleasure whi