I hope there has been no blood shed?

None, I’ll assure you, Mame, in this house; what happens out of it is no business of mine.  Now, Mame, would you please to go to bed?  By all means, Mrs. Betty.—­So away went my communicative companion.  Being much tired, I shall lay down an hour or two, then reassume my pen.

Four o’clock in the morning.

Not able to close my eyes, I am got up to have the pleasure of introducing to your Ladyship the Gentleman who I mention’d was to dine with us at the other inn.  Judge my surprize, when I found him to be the worthy Dean of H——­ going into Oxfordshire to visit his former flock;—­I knew him before Mr. Jenkings pronounced his name, by the strong likeness of his picture.

I even fancied the beautiful pair stood before me, whose hands he is represented joining.  It is much to be regretted so fine a piece should be hid from the world.—­Why should not this be proportion?  The other portraits which your Ladyship has drawn, are even allowed by Reynolds to be masterly.—­Let me therefore entreat, next time he comes to the Lodge, my favourite may at least have a chance of being called from banishment.

The Dean was almost discouraged from proceeding on his journey, by hearing of your Ladyship’s absence, and the death of Mrs. Whitmore.—­He was no stranger to what concern’d me, tho’ I could be scarce an inhabitant of Hillford-Down at the time he left it.—­I suppose his information was from Mr. Jenkings; I could see them from the window deep in discourse, walking in the Bowling-Green, from the moment the Dean got out of his chaise till dinner.

The latter expressed infinite satisfaction when I joined them; looking with such stedfast tenderness, as if he would trace on my countenance the features of some dear friend.—­His sincere regard for Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore, and the gratitude he owes your Ladyship, must make him behold me with a favourable eye, knowing how greatly I have been distinguish’d by the two latter.

He had a stool put into his chaise; assuring us we could fit three conveniently—­We came from the last inn together, and are to travel so the remainder of the journey.

After your Ladyship’s strict commands, that I look on Brandon-Lodge as my home, I shall make it such the few days I stay in Oxfordshire;—­and have presumed on your indulgence, to request Mr. Jenkings will do the same.—­The Dean’s visit is to Mr. Gardener, which will be happy for me, as that Gentleman’s house is so near the Lodge.—­I hope to see the tops of the chimneys this evening.—­

My heart would jump at the sight, if I expected your Ladyship to meet me with open arms.—­Extatic thought!—­unfit to precede those disappointments which must follow thick on one another.  Can there be greater!—­to pass the very house, once inhabited by—­O my Lady!—­Heaven! how will your and her image bring before me past happy scenes!