If this is the Dean’s voice, he is got up, early.  The horses putting to, and scarce five o’clock!  Here comes a messenger, to say they are ready.  So rest my pen, till; I again take it up at Brandon-Lodge.

Brandon-Lodge.

I never saw such general joy as appeared through the village at sight of the Dean.—­The first person who espy’d him ran with such speed into every house, that by the time we reached Mr. Gardener’s gate, the chaise was surrounded by a hundred people.—­Mr. and Mrs. Gardener stepping out, were saluted by the Dean.  What, our old friend! cried they.—­What, our old friend!—­Good God!—­and Miss Warley too!—­This is a joyful surprize, indeed! and would have taken me out by force, if I had not persisted in going to the Lodge.—­Your Ladyship is enough acquainted with these good people, to know they would part with any thing rather than their friends.—­I have not yet seen Miss Gardener:  she was gone on a walk with Miss West and Miss Conway.

The Dean showered a thousand marks of regard on all around him;—­the meanest not escaping his notice.—­In this tumult of pleasure I did not pass unregarded.—­Your Ladyship and Mrs. Whitmore still live in their hearts; the pure air of Hillford-Down will not mix with the cold blast of ingratitude.

May the soft pillow I am going to repose on, shut not out from my mind the load of obligations which rest on it!—­The remembrance is balm to my soul, either in my sleeping or waking hours.

Nine o’clock.

Scarce out of my bed half an hour!—­How have I over-slept myself!  Mrs. Bennet has prevailed on Mr. Jenkings to have some breakfast.—­Good, considerate woman!—­indeed, all your Ladyship’s domestics are good and considerate.—­No wonder, when you treat them so very different from some people of high rank.  Let those who complain of fraud, guilt, negligence, or want of respect from their dependants, look in here;—­where they will see honesty, virtue, and reverence attend the execution of every command.—­Flowers must be planted before they can take root.—­Few, very few endeavour to improve an uncultivated soil, notwithstanding how great the advantage is to the improver.

I last night receiv’d pleasure inexpressible, by sending for the servants to acquaint them of your Ladyship’s returning health; and feasted on the satisfaction they expressed.—­In a moment all the live creatures were brought.—­I am satisfied, my Lady, if any of them die in your absence, it must be of fat.—­My old acquaintances Bell and Flora could hardly waddle in to pay their compliments; the parrot, which used to squall the moment she saw me, is now quite dumb; shewing no mark of her favour, but holding down her head to be scratched;—­the turtle-doves are in the same case.—­I have taken the liberty to desire the whole crew might be put to short allowance.

John said, he believed it was natural for every thing to grow fat here; and was much afraid, when I saw the coach-horses, I should pronounce the same hard sentence against them, desiring orders to attend me with the carriage this morning.—­I told him my stay would be so short, I should have no time for an airing.