By this time lights blazed in every window of the great mansion; the open doors emitted a fragrant glow of warmth and welcome; the rattle of plates and hum of voices could be heard in the road a hundred paces away.  But outside and about the stables the hubbub had somewhat subsided, the road had grown quiet, and the last townsfolk had withdrawn, when a little after seven the lamps of a carriage appeared in the High Street, approaching from the town.  It swept round the church, turned the flank of the house, and in a twinkling drew up before the pillars.

‘Hilloa!  House!’ cried the postillion.  ‘House!’ And, cracking his whip on his boot, he looked up at the rows of lighted windows.

A man and a maid who travelled outside climbed down.  As the man opened the carriage door, a servant bustled out of the house.  ’Do you want fresh horses?’ said he, in a kind of aside to the footman.

‘No—­rooms!’ the man answered bluntly.

Before the other could reply, ‘What is this?’ cried a shrewish voice from the interior of the carriage.  ’Hoity toity!  This is a nice way of receiving company!  You, fellow, go to your master and say that I am here.’

‘Say that the Lady Dunborough is here,’ an unctuous voice repeated, ’and requires rooms, dinners, fire, and the best he has.  And do you be quick, fellow!’

The speaker was Mr. Thomasson, or rather Mr. Thomasson plus the importance which comes of travelling with a viscountess.  This, and perhaps the cramped state of his limbs, made him a little long in descending.  ’Will your ladyship wait? or will you allow me to have the honour of assisting you to descend?’ he continued, shivering slightly from the cold.  To tell the truth, he was not enjoying his honour on cheap terms.  Save the last hour, her ladyship’s tongue had gone without ceasing, and Mr. Thomasson was sorely in need of refreshment.

‘Descend?  No!’ was the tart answer.  ’Let the man come!  Sho!  Times are changed since I was here last.  I had not to wait then, or break my shins in the dark!  Has the impudent fellow gone in?’

He had, but at this came out again, bearing lights before his master.  The host, with the civility which marked landlords in those days—­the halcyon days of inns—­hurried down the steps to the carriage.  ’Dear me!  Dear me!  I am most unhappy!’ he exclaimed.  ’Had I known your ladyship was travelling, some arrangement should have been made.  I declare, my lady, I would not have had this happen for twenty pounds!  But—­’

‘But what, man!  What is the man mouthing about?’ she cried impatiently.

‘I am full,’ he said, extending his palms to express his despair.’  The Earl of Chatham and his lordship’s company travelling from Bath occupy all the west wing and the greater part of the house; and I have positively no rooms fit for your ladyship’s use.  I am grieved, desolated, to have to say this to a person in your ladyship’s position,’ he continued glibly, ‘and an esteemed customer, but—­’ and again he extended his hands.