Gladys, the Reaper

cook, and his daughter liked to see everything done in good style. Even Mrs. Jonathan Prothero declared that

st the guests. Nothing could be more perfect than the bearing of the host and hostess. Mr Gywnne was a gentleman, even in his peculiarities-fastidiously a gentleman-and comported himself as such to every one. But he was too nervous, and had too low a voice to put his guests at ease: one half did not hear him at all, and the rest w

as near her as possible. The Rev Jonathan Prothero had the place of honour at her right, and did not take up much of her time. He appeared to be deep in the speculation concerning the ancient castle of which we have already heard, and was learnedly descanting upon i

moured countenance. His wife was even more portly than himself, and sat, in black velvet and marabout feathers, as stately as a princess at a drawing-room. The task of keeping up the family reputation of the ancient house of Rice Rice devolved in a great measure on this lady, assisted by her daughter; and, it must be said, that if any one could have dou

mple, immoveable figure, and in the glance of the eyes that looked over the somewhat mountainous cheek; one saw it in a certai

the Welsh lady that of the Rice Rices, and a satirist might have made a clever caricature of these pat

, pretty, and a skilful tactician, she is a dangerous rival of the young ladies, and is not wholly innocent of a desire to eclipse them. She and her daughter are dressed very nearly alike, in some white and light material, and at a little distance she might pass for the fair Wilhelmina's elder sister. A profus

tures and marble complexion. But she does not at present appear to have character enough to possess the clever malice of her mother. T

oose, being attracted elsewhere. Sir Hugh is exerting his lungs to their utmost, and much beyond the boundaries that etiquette would vainly try to impose upon th

by grand servants, never surrounded by such gay people; and, in spite of her ambition to eclipse by her beauty the Misses Nugent and Rice Rice, she feels and looks rather awkward. Miss Gwynne does all in her power to reassure

ey will over the delights of port and politics, and then the various schemes and

rothero, who, reserved by nature, feels doubly

s last at your house, Mr Prothero, and h

er. She seemed more composed, and liked being r

re reconciled to h

tunate. But he would not allow her to be ne

erposed Netta, who had ventured

ll likely to have, Miss Gwynne?' here broke

hat you mean,' s

to be raffled for by all the young ladies in the country. They have sim

e,' said a fresh addition to the circle that stood round that young lady's chair. 'He means th

ch a magnificent toss that h

purchase tickets in that lottery,' she sa

l, do it at once,' responded Sir Hugh. 'And quite ri

nters,' said Miss Gwynne, changing her tone, when she su

resting piece of local gossip, and, one

hing of himself if he would bu

eman by birth,'

d one day-you will scarcely believe it, Mr Gwynne-to make him understand

or I cannot quite "take in" those heaps of stone

em in that sort of person?' asked

ard it, and answer

ch, very handsome, and has had a miser for

cely fair to appeal to

a good word in favou

aid Rowland resolutely, glancing at

o glancing at poor Netta, 'I should say that Howel Jenkins was a c

Dead March in Saul,' or something appropriate? Never mind, Netta; I daresay cousin Howel will turn out a great man by-and-by;' this last clause was w

es, after which, her daughter accompa

aid Sir Hugh Pryse to young Rice Rice. 'I never saw such a c

in his eye. He had lately discovered that he was nearsighted, to the great grief of his mother, who, however, sometimes spoke of the sa

heard him. Most of the ladies, doubtless, did, and appropriated the sentiment, but, by-and-by

ered whether a poor baronet, or a wealthy miser's son would best help her

nts, and a solemn kind of music that he chose to think befitting a clergyman, was, in his turn, looking over the drawing-

neighbour. Miss Gwyne, assisted by all the gentlem

is in a very bad temper. The former was glad of anything that could keep him awake, the latter was disgusted at having been made the victim of Miss Gwynne's anxiety to preserve her father from falling f

st brilliant airs and variations in vain, as far as Mr Gwynne was concerned; and Rowland was even unconscious that Netta

t exclaimed Lady Mary, approaching Mr

a piece he was about to move,

you are making one,' said Sir Hugh. 'For my part, I always find one move at

is supposed to have been invented in China or Hindustan, and was known in the

aid young Rice Rice, with a consciousness of superior wit, in

ent, I should be glad to hear you explain. I do not remember mention being made of parliament till the twelfth century. It was first applied to general assemblies in France during th

some truth in what I have heard, that the

pon my soul!'

continued Mr Jonathan, in the same unch

es',' interrupted Mrs Prothero, causing a diversion, and a suppressed laugh at her expense, instead of

a view to a joke, was sure to have the tables turned upon him, by the mat

f them. He was a great Oriental scholar. Then there was Inigo Jones, the architect; and John P

locker was so deep that I am sure he must have bee

y dear-but I

atiently, first at the chess-table, secondly at her daughter, who was engaged in animated non

moment, Lady Mary; I m

put an end to the game,

my dear. What do y

finish it, but perhaps we

l you come and dine with me to

I shall be

hey were good chess players. It was quite an hon

to the book-room, Winif

rose in the excit

l disturb the men, and-and-all

ble into a small room, opening into the draw

chess,' said Miss Gwynne fo

cally, and she little knew

-thoughts of mingled approbation and dislike.

very disagreeable,' was

young man,' were Lady Mary's words to M

high honours at Oxford, and my cousin. Sir Philip P

upon Rowland when he returned, with a

ero is a very handsome young

membering her intentions for Wilhelmi