"I am sorry, my friend, I have not sufficient interest with his lordship to apply on my own account; but he is so seldom here, we are barely acquainted;" and the good baronet looked really concerned.
"Clara," said Francis Ives in a low and affectionate tone, "have you read the books I sent you?"
Clara answered him with a smile in the negative, but promised amendment as soon as she had leisure.
"Do you ride much, on horseback, Mr. Moseley?" abruptly asked Miss Sarah, turning her back on the young divine, and facing the gentleman she addressed. John, who was now hemmed in between the sisters, replied with a rueful expression that brought a smile into the face of Emily, who was placed opposite to him--
"Yes, ma'am, and sometimes I am ridden."
"Ridden, sir, what do you mean by that?"
"Oh! only my aunt there occasionally gives me a lecture."
"I understand," said the lady, pointing slily with her finger at her own father.
"Does it feel good?" John inquired, with a look of, great sympathy. But the lady, who now felt awkwardly, without knowing exactly why, shook her head in silence, and forced a faint laugh.
"Whom have we here?" cried Captain Jarvis, who was looking out at a window which commanded a view of the approach to the house--"the apothecary and his attendant judging from the equipage."