At this period of the proceedings Mrs. Lindsay, in consequence of some significant whispers which were directly levelled at her character, suggested to Maria that having seen enough of these wild proceedings, it would be more advisable to return home—­a suggestion to which Maria, whose presence there at all was in deference to her father’s wishes, very gladly consented.  They accordingly placed themselves under the escort of the redoubtable and gallant twins, and reached home in safety.

It was now expected that the quality would go down to the inn, where the largest room had been fitted up for refreshments and dancing, and into which none but the more decent and respectable classes were admitted.  There most of the beauties of the town and the adjoining neighborhood were assembled, together with their admirers, all of whom entered into the spirit of the festivity with great relish.  When Lindsay and his company were about to retire from the great bonfire, the conductors of the pageant, who also acted as spokesmen on the occasion, thus addressed them: 

“It’s right, your honors, that you should go and see the dancin’ in the inn, and no harm if you shake a heel yourselves, besides taking something to wash the dust out o’ your throats; but when you come out again, if you don’t find a fresh and high blaze before you still, the devil’s a witch.”

As they proceeded toward the inn, the consequences of the drink, which the crowd had so abundantly received, began, here and there, to manifest many unequivocal symptoms.  In some places high words were going on, in others blows; and altogether the affair seemed likely to terminate in a general conflict.

“Father,” said his son Charles, “had you not better try and settle these rising disturbances?”

“Not I,” replied the jovial magistrate; “let them thrash one another till morning; they like it, and I make it a point never to go between the poor people and their enjoyments.  Gadzooks, Charley, don’t you know it would be a tame and discreditable affair without a row?”

“Yes; but now that they’ve got drunk, they’re cheering you, and groaning my mother.”

“Devil’s cure to her,” replied his father; “if she didn’t deserve it she’d not get it.  What right had she to send my bailiffs to drive their cattle without my knowledge, and to take duty fowl and duty work from them whenever my back is turned, and contrary to my wishes?  Come in till we have some punch; let them shout and fight away; it wouldn’t fee the thing, Charley, without it.”

They found an exceedingly lively scene in the large parlor of the inn; but, in fact, every available room in the house was crowded.  Then, after they had looked on for some time, every eye soon singled out the pride and beauty of the assembly in the person of Grace Davoren, whose features were animated into greater loveliness, and her eyes into greater brilliancy, by the light-hearted spirit which prevailed.  She