expression) that he would be hanged if he would go. Lady Maria thought
the young gentleman whom they had remarked at the bridge was a pretty
fellow enough. Castlewood is dreadfully dull, I am sure neither of my
brothers do anything to make it amusing. He may be vulgar--no doubt, he
is vulgar--but let us see the American. Such was Lady Maria's opinion.
Lady Castlewood was neither for inviting nor for refusing him, but for
delaying. "Wait till your aunt comes, children; perhaps the Baroness
won't like to see the young man; at least, let us consult her before we
ask him." And so the hospitality to be offered by his nearest kinsfolk to
poor Harry Warrington remained yet in abeyance.

At length the equipage of the Baroness Bernstein made its appearance, and
whatever doubt there might be as to the reception of the Virginian
stranger, there was no lack of enthusiasm in this generous family
regarding their wealthy and powerful kinswoman. The state-chamber had
already been prepared for her. The cook had arrived the previous day with
instructions to get ready a supper for her such as her ladyship liked.
The table sparkled with old plate, and was set in the oak dining-room
with the pictures of the family round the walls. There was the late
Viscount, his father, his mother, his sister--these two lovely pictures.
There was his predecessor by Vandyck, and his Viscountess. There was
Colonel Esmond, their relative in Virginia, about whose grandson the
ladies and gentlemen of the Esmond family showed such a very moderate
degree of sympathy.

The feast set before their aunt, the Baroness, was a very good one, and
her ladyship enjoyed it. The supper occupied an hour or two, during which
the whole Castlewood family were most attentive to their guest. The
Countess pressed all the good dishes upon her, of which she freely
partook: the butler no sooner saw her glass empty than he filled it with