CHAPTER XXI. When all within is peace, How Nature seems to smile, With open hand she showers Fresh blessings to deceive, And soothe the silent hours. COWPER. As soon as the Seftons were settled in their new abode, Catherine readily accepted a most pressing invitation from her friend to visit them. But what was to be done with Clara, who, the moment she understood that Catherine was going from home, cried incessantly, and entreated to be allowed to accompany her. Catherine, who could not prevail on herself to leave her little friend behind, wrote a note to Mrs Sefton, asking permission to bring Clara along with her, and received in reply an earnest request to do so. The day after Catherine and Clara's arrival at Duddingstone, Captain Sefton said, "I believe, Ellen, I forgot to tell you that I expect an old friend to dinner to-day. I see him riding up the avenue." "You sad creature-" said Mrs Sefton. But without waiting to hear her, he ran out to meet his friend." I wonder," continued she," who it can be. I did not know he had any friends in Scotland." "Aunt Catherine," cried Clara, who was standing at the window," there is Major Willoughby coming." And before Catherine could recover from her surprise at this intelligence, the gentlemen entered. "Ellen," said Sefton, approaching with Willoughby, "this is my oldest and best friend, Major Willoughby." Mrs Sefton received him, as every good wife should receive the friend of her husband; and Sefton was just about to present him to Catherine, when he was saved that trouble by Willoughby bowing to her, and inquiring for her friends in Hope Street. Willoughby, much pleased with Mrs Sefton, now made himself so agreeable to her, and conversed so pleasantly, that, before they had been a few hours together, they felt perfectly well acquainted with each other; while Mrs Sefton, who was naturally of a very lively disposition, on this occasion was so anxious to acquire the good opinion of her husband's friend, that Willoughby almost envied Sefton the possession of such a delightful little wife. As all were inclined to please, and, what is still more uncommon, to be pleased, there was no want of amusement; and the evening passed so rapidly away, that they were astonished when the servant made his appearance with the supper tray; and, after a slight repast, the Major having taken his departure, the family adjourned to their respective apartments. Thus passed the second day of Catherine's sojourn with the Seftons. 66 Ellen," said Sefton to his wife, when they had retired to their apartment, "do you know I am half in love with your Catherine Dundas?-It is well for you," he continued, laughing," that you were Mrs Sefton before you introduced me to this charming girl; had I not been fairly noosed, there is no saying what might have happened." "Such consummate vanity!" said his wife. "And do you really think that Catherine would have liked you?-I fancy you think," she added, smiling, "that because I was so foolish as to listen to you, you have only to ask to be accepted ?" "You took a pretty long time," he replied, tenderly regarding her, "to make up your mind, whether you would or would not; and did I bear malice, so far from loving this Miss Catherine, I should abso lutely hate her for persuading you to delay my happiness so long." "Do you recollect, Harry," said his lady, laughing, "what a glorious rage you were in after reading her letter ?" "Do I recollect? to be sure I do. And had your pretty friend but come across me at that moment, I verily believe I should have tossed her out of the window." 66 Ah, Harry! But now that you have come to your senses, you can't but approve of the advice she gave your giddy wife upon that occasion, who, but for her, might have allowed a very foolish young gentleman to persuade her to commit a more than foolish ation." "Ellen, you were right, after all, in following your friend's advice; for though I was outrageous at the time, I now rejoice that you did not let my headstrong passion hurry you into a private marriage; and our patience has met its reward. I only wish that all married people may be so happy as we are." |