CHAPTER L. AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. "Much as we prize the active worth Tread with us on this toilsome earth A charm more hallowed and profound, Imagination casts around The memory of the dead." BARTON. "IT is a good thing we happened to take Grainger's advice," remarked Albert Snapson to his brother, as they found, on arriving at the beforementioned shed, that it was already nearly full. "Yes," replied Henry, glancing around him, in rather an undecided and dubious fashion. "It is a queer place; I don't know what to make of it." Albert laughed very unconcernedly at his perplexity; and, constituting himself guide, he succeeded without any difficulty in piloting him through the crowd, assembled near the door of the unpretending edifice. About half-way up they were brought to a standstill; but a man having recognised them, and whispered Albert's name to some of the others, several seats were promptly vacated and respectfully offered for their use. I am bound to confess, however, that in spite of this act of courtesy on the part of their humble friends, Henry accepted it with a very bad grace, and took the place assigned to himself, close beside a burly personage-ycleped Joe Taylor, the blacksmith-feeling most completely out of his element. The comical look of dismay he cast on Albert proved so temptingly provocative of mirth, that he lad's risibility was strongly excited: and the thing that enabled him to maintain his gravity was seeing the general air of solemn expectancy which seemed to pervade that silent company. Their quiet, earnest faces impressed him deeply: and he awaited Herbert's appearance with intense curiosity. At last a slight stir near the door announced his arrival, and, amidst breathless silence, he slowly walked to the upper end of the shed, where he at once began the service. Henry listened abstractedly to the reading of the first hymn; but when the singing commenced, he roused himself just sufficiently to decline receiving the hymn-book which the worthy blacksmith was offering him, and then relapsed into a state of apparent self-forgetfulness. Albert scarcely removed his eyes from Herbert's face during the whole service. His ardent, impressible nature made him peculiarly susceptible to every kind of influence; and the eagerness and excitability with which he had habituated himself, boy though he was, to become interested in any theme which appeared worthy of his attention, without the slightest reference to the wishes or opinions of others, inclined him in this instance to yield a willing and unprejudiced hearing to truths which, though not new to him, were presented in a different light from what he had been accustomed to. The clergyman, whose church Mr. Snapson attended, uniformly addressed himself to the understanding; whereas Herbert sought rather to convince the heart than the intellect and though he cared not to excel in polished diction, or rhetorical display, or the subtle intricacies of philosophical reasoning, his thorough earnestness, and undying zeal and devotedness of spirit, rendered his appeals both eloquent and convictive. "I should like to wait and speak to him," whispered Albert to his brother, at the conclusion of the service. 66 Nonsense," replied Henry, more hastily than was his wont; "don't you see that he is engaged? Besides," (slightly hesitating,) "he would probably be embarrassed were he to find us here." 66 "Not a bit of it!" rejoined the lad, stoutly; he was looking at us just now, and appeared quite delighted. However, if you really wish to go," he added, observing how disappointed Henry seemed. "I do wish it!" exclaimed the young man, quickly. "I am perfectly tired of this insufferably hot place." "Come along, then," returned Albert, good-naturedly; and, without another word, they mingled with the crowd. Outside the door, they found a groom waiting for them with their horses; and having vaulted into the saddle, they soon left the peaceful village of Colton behind them. "Now what do you think of him, Henry? " cried Albert, victoriously, as they reined in their horses near one of the park gates; "is he not a noble fellow?" 66 "I dare say," answered his brother, in a tone of indifference. Why, I fancied you would be in raptures with him," said Albert, apparently surprised at his coldness. "Such a sermon as that was!" he soliloquised. 66 "Yes; I can't deny that he preaches remarkably well," replied Henry, making an effort to shake off his moodiness. Still, I confess I prefer Mr. Skilton's sermons." "Do you? for my part, I never understand a word of them; now, Mr. Seymour is so plain." "Rather too plain!" muttered Henry, discontentedly. quite uncomfortable during the whole of the sermon." "I felt Thus saying, he put spurs to his horse, and did not speak again until they alighted at the hall door. A day or two after this, as Herbert was passing through one of the principal streets of Lanchester, attended by James Gordon, his attention was suddenly attracted by a group of young men who were loitering on the pavement in front of a fashionable hotel, looking very much as if they did not know what to do with themselves. He might have passed by without taking any particular notice of them, but something in the appearance of the foremost of the party, whose face was only partially turned towards him, seemed to be familiar. His voice, too, strangely reminded him of old times; and it was with a sensation of the keenest interest that Herbert tried to obtain a nearer view of his countenance. His wish was soon granted; for just as he came within three paces of the party, the gentleman he had been observing wheeled swiftly round, and Herbert instantly recognised him. It was his cousin, Reginald Grafton ! A slight start on the one side, and significant elevation of the hands and eyes on the other, revealed their mutual surprise at this unexpected rencontre. Herbert was the first to regain his composure. He smiled, and held out his hand; but Reginald almost unconsciously drew back, stammered a few unintelligible words, and, confused, embarrassed, and half ashamed, he gazed around him for some way of escape, when his eye inadvertently falling upon his companions-who were evidently amusing themselves at his expense-he changed his tactics by exchanging a whispered sentence with the gentleman who stood nearest himself; and then, returning to Herbert, exclaimed in a tone of real or feigned cordiality, "Is it really yourself, old fellow, or your ghost?" "Have you any doubt on the subject?" replied Herbert, quietly. "Certes, can you ask the question?" said Reginald, with a covert "It is ages since I heard of you; and therefore I concluded that, finding your worth so little appreciated in this world, you had set out in search of another." sneer. "You do not believe, then, that 'one who meriteth esteem,' whatever his worldly circumstances may be, 'need never lack a friend,' even in this world," returned Herbert, meaningly. "By the bye, how do you manage to live?" questioned Reginald, in a brusque tone, keenly surveying our hero from head to foot. "I presume you mean where," said Herbert, calmly, though his eyes dilated, and his upper lip trembled visibly. 66 Oh, it's all the same," he answered, colouring; "I thoughtBut no matter! inordinate curiosity is not one of my failings." "Your stay in Lanchester will doubtless be a short one," remarked Herbert, glancing at Reginald's companions, who had mounted the broad flight of steps leading into the hotel, and now stood on the threshold, impatiently waiting for him to rejoin them. "Yes, I hope we may be able to continue our journey to-morrow. But for an accident which happened to my carriage, we should not have been here at all." "My carriage!" reflected Herbert, and, on regarding him more attentively, he observed that there was a band of crape around his hat. With a vague perception of uneasiness, he inquired for General Clare. Reginald gazed at him in utter amazement. Surely you must ere this have heard of my poor grandfather's death," he said, mournfully shaking his head. "Dead!" cried Herbert, shocked and agitated; "I can scarcely believe you, Reginald." "Alas! it is only too true," replied his cousin; "he died about three months ago, after a very short illness. I feel as if I should never recover from the effects of so terrible a loss; " and he placed his little finger to the corner of his eye, as if to dry a starting tear. Herbert did not see the tear; but he was touched by his change of tone, and respected his grief, never for a moment doubting that it was genuine. ?" he asked, softly. "Are you still residing at B“Yes—no—that is, I can hardly say," answered Reginald, in great confusion. "Well, I will not try to force myself into your confidence," said Herbert, with a grave, sad smile; "I pray that you may be able to "Come-no preaching!" angrily interrupted his cousin; "I can't endure that sort of thing." "Good-bye, then; there is nothing I can do for you, I suppose ? "I don't know about that," exclaimed Reginald, bluntly; "I rather think you ought to invite me to call on you, if-as I suspect is the case-you are living in this neighbourhood." 66 'My humble dwelling has no attractions to offer you," said Herbert, gently; "but if you would really like to spend an hour or two with me this evening-and can leave your companions for that time -I shall be happy to see you. Here is my address," putting a card into his hand. "All right!" responded Reginald, coolly transferring it to his waistcoat pocket; " may I come and share your frugal dinner?" 66 Certainly; only be prepared for a frugal one-and be sure and come alone." "It will be a change," muttered his cousin, taking a cigar from his case, and proceeding to light it; "I was just wondering how we should be able to spin out the remaining hours of the day. First of all, I shall call upon young Stanley, whom I have not seen for many months; and then "Sir Edward Stanley is out of town," said Herbert," and does not return until to-night. You may, however, meet him at my cottage, as he spoke of seeing me on his way home." "Are you very intimate?" questioned Reginald, in surprise. "Wait until you have an opportunity of judging for yourself," replied Herbert, moving away. "Well, au revoir-I shall not fail to find you out this evening." Herbert placed little dependence upon his promise, concluding that his companions would in all probability propose some other and more congenial entertainment pour passer le temps. Not until he reached the end of the street did Herbert think of waiting for James Gordon, who voluntarily left him on perceiving that he had met with an acquaintance; and entering a shop close by, where he was in the habit of dealing, he began to make a few necessary purchases. When he returned to the hotel, he found that he was already gone; but Reginald Grafton and his companions were still lingering outside the door, loudly conversing together on what seemed to judge by the peals of boisterous laughter which constantly burst from their lips-to be a most interesting and exciting subject. A few disjointed sentences fell on his ear as he passed them; and for a second or two he stood quite motionless, viewing them in palpable amazement, a contemptuous smile curling his lip, and a sudden look of determination deepening the colour on his swart countenance. "Ha, ha," he monologised, rapidly pursuing his way; "they expect to take us unawares, it seems, and are picturing to themselves Mr. Herbert's dismay when he is called upon to receive so many uninvited guests without having the means of giving them a suitable entertainment. Well, we shall see; perhaps they may have less cause for mirth than they imagine!" 66 'Why, Gordon, whither are you posting at this prodigious rate?" exclaimed Herbert, whom he nearly ran against. 'Oh, I beg your pardon, sir," he said, slackening his pace; "I wanted to overtake you before you reached the Hall. Do you suppose the meeting will have commenced?" 66 66 Scarcely," said Herbert, mechanically consulting his watch; you know we set out early." "I am afraid you are tiring yourself, sir," observed Gordon, anxiously, as he noticed that there was a peculiar look of depression upon his face. "This long walk is too much for you." "I was thinking of my poor uncle," returned Herbert, smiling sadly; "his death must have been very sudden." "Which uncle, sir?" inquired Gordon. "Did I forget to tell you?-General Clare! His grandson, Reginald Grafton (with whom I spoke just now), mentioned it as a matter of course, never dreaming that I was ignorant even of his illness. If I could be sure," he continued, in a musing tone, "that he was prepared for the stupendous change, I should feel comparatively happy; and yet I am not altogether without hope, for his character and Reginald's were totally dissimilar, and during the last conversation we held together, he made many admissions which at the time struck me as evincing no little interest in the things pering to the kingdom of our Lord. I ought to tell you, James," he ided, abruptly, "that I have invited my cousin to dine with me this evening, not that I really expect him, as his companions will probably urge him to remain with them; but I thought it well to give him the option. I hope this may not be inconvenient to you, my friend." "Oh, no, sir," answered Gordon, promptly; and with this the subject was dropped. Five minutes more brought them to the door of the building, where a celebrated missionary traveller was going to give some interesting particulars regarding his labours in Africa. There Gordon paused, saying he had several trifling business arrangements to make, and would therefore prefer returning to the cottage. Seeing him in earnest, and there being no time to offer opposition, Herbert suffered him to depart, though he certainly wondered greatly at his strange determination. |