Alice, or the Mysteries — Book 07

								

carriage stopped at a cast-iron gate, on which was inscribed this
epigraph, "Hobbs' lodge--Ring the Bell."
"A snug place enough," said Lord Vargrave, as they were waiting the
arrival of the footman to unbar the gate.
"Yes," said Mr. Howard.  "If a retired Cit could be transformed into a
house, such is the house he would be."
Poor Dale Cottage,--the home of Poetry and Passion!  But change visits
the Commonplace as well as the Romantic.  Since Alice had pressed to that
cold grating her wistful eyes, time had wrought his allotted revolutions;
the old had died, the young grown up.  Of the children playing on the
lawn, death had claimed some, and marriage others,--and the holiday of
youth was gone for all.
The servant opened the gate.  Mr. Robert Hobbs was at home; he had
friends with him,--he was engaged; Lord Vargrave sent in his card, and
the introductory letter from Mr. Winsley.  In two seconds, these missives
brought to the gate Mr. Robert Hobbs himself, a smart young man, with a
black stock, red whiskers, and an eye-glass pendant to a hair-chain which
was possibly a gage d'amour from Miss Margaret Winsley.
A profusion of bows, compliments, apologies, etc., the carriage drove up
the sweep, and Lord Vargrave descended, and was immediately ushered into
Mr. Hobbs's private room.  The slim secretary followed, and sat silent,
melancholy, and upright, while the peer affably explained his wants and
wishes to the surveyor.
Mr. Hobbs was well acquainted with the locality of Lisle Court, which was
little more than thirty miles distant, he should be proud to accompany
Lord Vargrave thither the next morning.  But, might he venture, might he
dare, might he presume--a gentleman who lived at the town of ----- was to
dine with him that day; a gentleman of the most profound knowledge of
agricultural affairs; a gentleman who knew every farm, almost every acre,
belonging to Colonel Maltravers; if his lordship could be induced to
waive ceremony, and dine with Mr. Hobbs; it might be really useful to
meet this gentleman.  The slim secretary, who was very hungry, and who
thought he sniffed an uncommonly savoury smell, looked up from his boots.
Lord Vargrave smiled.
"My young friend here is too great an admirer of Mrs. Hobbs--who is to
be--not to feel anxious to make the acquaintance of any member of the
family she is to enter."
Mr. George Frederick Augustus Howard blushed indignant refutation of the
calumnious charge.  Vargrave continued,--"As for me, I shall be delighted
to meet any friends of yours, and am greatly obliged for your
consideration.  We may dismiss the postboys, Howard; and what time shall
we summon them,--ten o'clock?"
"If your lordship would condescend to accept a bed, we can accommodate
your lordship and this gentleman, and start at any hour in the morning
that--"
"So be it," interrupted Vargrave.  "You speak like a man of business.
Howard, be so kind as to order the horses for six o'clock to-morrow.