of the grounds, and a string band in another, where the young people
danced under the trees. Refreshments were served at five o'clock, and
the festivities were kept up till the sun went down, and half the
children were sick from overeating--the mothers were tired, and some of
the men a little shaky in their legs, and thick in their speech, from a
too frequent acquaintance with the claret punch which stood here and
there in great bowls, free as water, and more popular. The crowning
event of the day came when the hundreds of lanterns were lighted on the
piazzas and in the trees, and every window in the house blazed with
candles placed in so close proximity to each other, that objects could
be plainly seen at some distance.

The Colonel was going to make a speech, and he came out upon an upper
balcony, where the light from ten tall lamps fell full upon him,
bringing out every feature of his face distinctly. He was rather pale
and haggard, but the people were accustomed to that, and charged it to
the malaria. He was very distinguished looking, they thought, as they
stood waiting for him to commence his speech. All the afternoon he had
been the most courteous of hosts--a little too patronizing, perhaps, for
that was his way, but very polite, with a pleasant word for every one.
He knew he was making an impression, and felt proud in a way as Crompton
of Crompton, when he stepped out upon the balcony and saw the eager,
upturned faces, and heard the shout which greeted him. And still there
was with him a feeling of unrest--a presentiment that on his horizon,
seemingly so bright, a dark cloud was lowering, which might at any
moment burst upon the head he held so high. He was always dreading it,
but for the last few days the feeling had been stronger until now it was
like a nightmare, and his knees shook as he bowed to the people
confronting him and filling the air with cheers.