'I fear there is hardly any one,' said Mr. Henderson. 'All seem even
to me new people. Stay, do you recollect old Mrs. Golding?'

After a little confusion, Mr. Henderson's old Mrs. Golding proved to
be Mrs. Frost's young Mrs. Golding; and, on the eager inquiry whether
she were present, ensued the melancholy answer that she was deaf and
infirm, only just able to smile with pleasure at the tidings of her
old friend's restoration; and the daughter, whom she could only just
believe to be grown up, was a worn, elderly woman. Not even the one
heartfelt greeting was without sadness; and Clara likewise met with
one solitary satisfaction, and that a very mixed one. Mr. Danvers,
the young curate, whom Oliver had not thought worth presenting, was
hailed by Fitzjocelyn as if their slight Oxford acquaintance had been
an intimacy, and was by him introduced to Clara as belonging to
James's college. She frankly held out her hand, but was discomfited
by his inquiry for her brother, whom he had hoped to meet. Louis
said something about not expecting the schoolmaster abroad in the
half-year, and Clara was not at all grateful to him for relieving her
from the embarrassment, but regarded the reply as a shabby
prevarication, and was much inclined to speak out; but Louis was
drawing the curate into conversation about the population, and
hearing but a desponding history. It was interrupted when Oliver,
after waiting in vain for more distinguished company, began to
marshal his guests to the grand hall, paved with black and white
marble, and with a vast extent of wall and window, decked with
evergreens, flags, and mottoes. Here a cold collation was prepared,
with a band in a music-gallery above, and all the et ceteras dear to
county papers. Oliver himself handed in Lady Britton, his mother
fell to the lot of the Earl, and Fitzjocelyn received orders to
conduct a handsome, young, giggling Mrs. Smithers, who, never having