The early dinner being concluded, and the viands removed, the ladies retired to pursue their usual avocations, while the Colonel, with Mr Willoughby and Master Holden, sat still at the table, not so much to indulge in potations, though a flagon of wine and glasses stood before them, as to discuss certain parochial questions in which they were interested.
The first matter to be discussed had scarcely been broached when the Colonel, whose quick ears had detected the sound of horses’ hoofs in the court-yard, exclaimed, “Hark! here come visitors. I pray you, Master Holden, go and see who they are, and, should they have travelled far, and require food, bid the cook make ready a sufficiency; whether they be old friends or strangers, we must not show a want of hospitality if they come expecting to find it at Eversden.” The curate, ever accustomed to obey his patron’s directions, rose and hastened to the door. Not long after he had gone, Tobias Platt, the Colonel’s serving-man, who performed the duties of butler, valet, and general factotum, entered the hall.
“Master Thomas Handscombe, cloth-merchant of London, who has just come down from thence, craves to see Mr Roger Willoughby,” he said.
“Do you know him?” asked the Colonel of his brother-in-law.
“Yes, an old and worthy friend,” answered Mr Willoughby, rising from his seat.
“Let him be admitted, and assure him of a welcome,” said the Colonel, turning to Tobias Platt, who hurried out of the hall, while Mr Willoughby followed him somewhat more leisurely. He found his old friend, a middle-aged man of grave exterior, in travel-stained cloak, broad-brimmed beaver, just dismounting from a strongly-built nag, to whose saddle were attached a pair of huge holsters in front, and a valise behind. He was accompanied by two attendants, each of whose animals carried considerably heavier burdens, apparently merchandise, more or less of cloth and other articles, firmly secured by leathern straps.
“I am glad to see you again, Master Handscombe,” exclaimed Mr Willoughby, warmly pressing the hand of his old friend; “although I am no longer master of this mansion, I can bid you welcome, for my good brother-in-law, Colonel Tregellen, desires that all my friends should be his friends; but you will remember that he is an old Cavalier, and that there are certain subjects it were better not to touch on.”
“I mix too much with all classes of men not to be on my guard,” answered the merchant, as he accompanied Mr Willoughby into the house, when Tobias Platt came forward to take his dusty cloak and beaver, and then followed Mr Willoughby into the hall, where the Colonel received him as his brother-in-law’s friend.
“You will be glad to shake off more of the dust of your journey while a repast is preparing,” observed the Colonel. “The servant will provide you with water and other necessaries.”
The guest gladly accepted the offer. Mr Willoughby himself accompanied him to the room, that they might have an opportunity of conversing in private, which they might not afterwards obtain. Madam Pauline and Alice, on hearing from Master Holden of the arrival of a stranger from London, returned to the hall, where all the party were soon again assembled. Master Handscombe, though a man of grave deportment, had no objection to hear himself speak.