e's remark, that happiness is a
serious thing. While pleasure manifests itself by extravagant gayety,
exuberant spirits, and overt acts, happiness retreats to its own proper
region, the heart. There concentrating its feelings, it contemplates its
treasures, meditates on its enjoyments, and still more fondly on its
hopes; counts up its mercies, and feels the consummation of them in
looking to the fountain from whence they flow; feels every blessing
immeasurably heightened by the heart-cheering reflection, that the most
exquisite human pleasures are not the perfection of his nature, but only
a gracious earnest, a bounteous pre-libation of that blessedness which
is without measure, and shall be without end.

CHAPTER XLVII.

Before the Belfields had quitted us, it was stipulated that we should,
with submission to the will of a higher power, all meet for six weeks
every other summer at Stanley Grove, and pass a month together every
intermediate year, either at the Priory, or at Beechwood.

I passed through London, and spent three days in Cavendish-square, my
friends having kindly postponed their departure for the country on my
account. Lady Belfield voluntarily undertook whatever was necessary for
the internal decoration of the Priory; while Sir John took on himself
the friendly office of arranging for me all preliminaries with Mr.
Stanley, whose largeness of heart and extreme disinterestedness, I knew
I durst not trust, without some such check as I placed in the hands of
our common friend.

As soon as all personal concerns were adjusted, Lady Belfield said, "I
have something to communicate, in which, I am persuaded, you will take a
lively interest. On my return to town, I found, among my visiting
tickets, several of Lady Melbury's. The porter told me she had called
every day for the last week, and seemed very impatient for my return.
Finding she was still in town, I went to her immediately. She was not at
home, but came to me within an hour. She expressed great joy at seeing
me. She looked more beautiful than ever, at least the blush of conscious
shame, which mingled with her usual sweetness, rendered her more
interesting.

"She was at a loss how to begin. With a perplexed air she said, 'Why did
you stay so long? I have sadly wanted you. Where is Sir John? I have
wanted counselors--comforters--friends. I have never had a friend.'

"I was affected at an opening so unexpected. Sir John came in. This
increased h