anxious now, as they glanced from Barbara to her parents and
tenderly back again to her; observing whom, even now in her
trepidation, one could see why the sang froid of Lord Uplandtowers
had been raised to more than lukewarmness. Her fair young face
(according to the tale handed down by old women) looked out from
under a gray conical hat, trimmed with white ostrich-feathers, and
her little toes peeped from a buff petticoat worn under a puce gown.
Her features were not regular: they were almost infantine, as you
may see from miniatures in possession of the family, her mouth
showing much sensitiveness, and one could be sure that her faults
would not lie on the side of bad temper unless for urgent reasons.

Well, they discussed their state as became them, and the desire of
the young couple to gain the goodwill of those upon whom they were
literally dependent for everything induced them to agree to any
temporizing measure that was not too irksome. Therefore, having
been nearly two months united, they did not oppose Sir John's
proposal that he should furnish Edmond Willowes with funds
sufficient for him to travel a year on the Continent in the company
of a tutor, the young man undertaking to lend himself with the
utmost diligence to the tutor's instructions, till he became
polished outwardly and inwardly to the degree required in the
husband of such a lady as Barbara. He was to apply himself to the
study of languages, manners, history, society, ruins, and everything
else that came under his eyes, till he should return to take his
place without blushing by Barbara's side.

'And by that time,' said worthy Sir John, 'I'll get my little place
out at Yewsholt ready for you and Barbara to occupy on your return.
The house is small and out of the way; but it will do for a young