THE BUSY-BODIES. CHAPTER I. Juliet. Now is the sun upon the highmost hill Of this day's journey; and from nine till twelve Is three long hours,-yet she is not come. Romeo and Juliet. "COME away, come away," exclaimed the hasty and impatient Sir Thomas Lennox to his lady, who, like most of her sex, had allowed the carriage to be at the door, ere she thought of relinquishing her employment to equip herself for their present expedition." Cannot you sew although you your pelisse and bonnet on? The flies have have tormented the horses for at least a quarter of an hour; and you know that neither they nor George like to be kept waiting so long, particularly in such an insufferably hot day." I am sure, Sir Thomas," replied his dawdling lady," that your watch must be wrong, for mine is not yet twelve, and that was the hour you fixed for setting off." "If you regulate your watch by your motions," rejoined the baronet, "twelve will not arrive for some hours. But I beg you will make haste, for I am impatient to set off." "I will not be a moment," rejoined her ladyship, as she rose to prepare for their excursion. Catherine, my dear," she said to her niece," de put aside my work; Sir Thomas is always so impatient, he won't allow one time for anything. I really hate to have my nerves flurried so." Catherine, in silence, obeyed, and had just completed the task assigned her, when the voice of Sir Thomas reached her ears, calling, in his quick and hurried manner, to his lady to hasten her motions. At the same time hearing his rapid step pacing the lobby, she, to prevent his working himself into a passion, which was but too frequently the case, when obliged to wait for anything or anybody, flew to her aunt to offer assistance any that might be required. 66 Lady Lennox! Lady Lennox! are you not yet ready?—I really wish that you ladies would learn to calculate time a little more accurately.—It wants only a few minutes of one o'clock.-I am certain we cannot possibly he home by our dinner-hour. I had better order the carriage away, for I see plainly you won't be ready for at least another half hour"-Lady Lennox was too much engrossed in arranging her dress to give any answer to her fiery lord and master, but Catherine, who was pretty well accustomed to her uncle's way, answered for her, by saying, "We will be down directly, my dear uncle." 1 have tormented the horses for at least a quarter of an hour; and you know that neither they nor George like to be kept waiting so long, particularly in such an insufferably hot day." "I am sure, Sir Thomas," replied his dawdling lady," that your watch must be wrong, for mine is not yet twelve, and that was the hour you fixed for setting off." "If you regulate your watch by your motions," rejoined the baronet, "twelve will not arrive for some hours. But I beg you will make haste, for I am impatient to set off." cursion. "I will not be a moment," rejoined her ladyship, as she rose to prepare for their ex"Catherine, my dear," she said to her niece," de put aside my work; Sir Thomas is always so impatient, he won't allow one time for anything. I really hate to have my nerves flurried so." Catherine, in silence, obeyed, and had just completed the task assigned her, when the voice of Sir Thomas reached her ears, calling, in his quick and hurried manner, to his lady to hasten her motions. At the same time hearing his rapid step pacing the lobby, she, to prevent his working himself into a passion, which was but too frequently the case, when obliged to wait for anything or anybody, flew to her aunt to offer any assistance that might be required. Again Sir Thomas's voice sounded through the lobby like distant thunder. "Lady Lennox! Lady Lennox! are you not yet ready?—I really wish that you ladies would learn to calculate time a little more accurately. It wants only a few minutes of one o'clock.—I am certain we cannot possibly be home by our dinner-hour. I had better order the carriage away, for I see plainly you won't be ready for at least another half hour."-Lady Lennox was too much engrossed in arranging her dress to give any answer to her fiery lord and master, but Catherine, who was pretty well accustomed to her uncle's way, answered for her, by say"We will be down directly, my dear ing, acle." |