The village, too, had a different look about it.  I am sure I could not tell you what caused the change; but there were no more lounging young men to form a group at the cross-road, at a time of day when young men ought to be at work.  I don’t say this was all Mr. Gray’s doing, for there really was so much to do in the fields that there was but little time for lounging now-a-days.  And the children were hushed up in school, and better behaved out of it, too, than in the days when I used to be able to go my lady’s errands in the village.  I went so little about now, that I am sure I can’t tell who Miss Galindo found to scold; and yet she looked so well and so happy that I think she must have had her accustomed portion of that wholesome exercise.

Before I left Hanbury, the rumour that Captain James was going to marry Miss Brooke, Baker Brooke’s eldest daughter, who had only a sister to share his property with her, was confirmed.  He himself announced it to my lady; nay, more, with a courage, gained, I suppose, in his former profession, where, as I have heard, he had led his ship into many a post of danger, he asked her ladyship, the Countess Ludlow, if he might bring his bride elect, (the Baptist baker’s daughter!) and present her to my lady!

I am glad I was not present when he made this request; I should have felt so much ashamed for him, and I could not have helped being anxious till I heard my lady’s answer, if I had been there.  Of course she acceded; but I can fancy the grave surprise of her look.  I wonder if Captain James noticed it.

I hardly dared ask my lady, after the interview had taken place, what she thought of the bride elect; but I hinted my curiosity, and she told me, that if the young person had applied to Mrs. Medlicott, for the situation of cook, and Mrs. Medlicott had engaged her, she thought that it would have been a very suitable arrangement.  I understood from this how little she thought a marriage with Captain James, R.N., suitable.

About a year after I left Hanbury, I received a letter from Miss Galindo; I think I can find it.—­Yes, this is it.

   ’Hanbury, May 4, 1811.

   Dear Margaret,

’You ask for news of us all.  Don’t you know there is no news in Hanbury?  Did you ever hear of an event here?  Now, if you have answered “Yes,” in your own mind to these questions, you have fallen into my trap, and never were more mistaken in your life.  Hanbury is full of news; and we have more events on our hands than we know what to do with.  I will take them in the order of the newspapers—­births, deaths, and marriages.  In the matter of births, Jenny Lucas has had twins not a week ago.  Sadly too much of a good thing, you’ll say.  Very true:  but then they died; so their birth did not much signify.  My cat has kittened, too; she has had three kittens, which again you may observe is too much of a good thing; and so it would