Yet leave the gate which eloquence slips through
As wide as if a long speech were to come.—Byron.
The family party first separated to go to their several chambers to lay aside their outside wrappings and to prepare for their early Sunday dinner.
Then they met in the drawing-room.
Drusilla, who had more to do than the others, was the latest to join them.
Her baby, that had slept soundly during the long ride from church, was now awake and required attention.
While she was engaged in her sweet maternal duties, she received a message from General Lyon requesting that his godson might be brought down into the drawing-room before dinner.
So as soon as the young mother had made herself and her child presentable, she went down-stairs, followed by the nurse carrying the babe.
On the threshold of the room she paused in pleased surprise, and not so much at the value of the presents displayed before her, as at the new instance of kindness on the part of her friends.
On a round table covered with a fine crimson cloth were laid the christening offerings, of great splendor for their kind.