Black M'Guinness and Mistress Martha had listened in vain to catch the purport² of Mr. Audley's communication. Unfortunately for them, their master's chamber was guarded by a double door, and his companion had taken especial pains to close both of them before detailing the subject of his visit. They were, however a good deal astonished by Mr. French's insisting upon rising forthwith, and having himself clothed and shaved. This huge, good-natured lump of gout was, accordingly, arrayed in full suit—one of the handsomest which his wardrobe commanded—his velvet³ cap replaced by a flowing peruke—his gouty feet smothered⁴ in endless flannels⁵, and himself deposited in his great easy chair by the fire, and his lower extremities⁶ propped⁷ up upon stools and pillows. These preparations, along with a complete re-arrangement of the furniture, and other contents of the room, effectually perplexed⁸ and somewhat alarmed his disinterested⁹ dependents.

 

Mr. Audley returned ere the preparations were well completed, and handed Mary Ashwoode and her attendant from the chaise. It needs not to say how the old bachelor of Ardgillagh received her—with, perhaps, the more warmth and tenderness that, as he protested, with tears in his eyes, she was so like her poor mother, that he felt as if old times had come again, and that she stood once more before him, clothed in the melancholy¹⁰ beauty of her early and ill-fated youth. It were idle to describe the

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