CHAPTER III. Perhaps there is nothing in human nature more beautiful than the true, heartfelt, and simple affection evinced by the young towards the aged; doubly so when that affection is returned by one whose heart is overflowing with tenderness and grateful fondness. As I followed this one of Nature's most charming daughters, and watched her hang over the chair of her she termed mother, who kissing her on the brow expressed words of gentle kindness, and then with grace attended to the feminine duties of the tea table, I own I envied both. Even Clifford, who sat in a comfortable arm-chair which commanded a view of the garden, appeared touched by the genuinely simple yet natural gracefulness of all around him, and addressing me with some warmth he declared that the spots I had selected as our halting-places, though utterly dissimilar, were chosen with the utmost attention to his pleasure. "But yesterday, Madam," he added, addressing our hostess, "buried amid the woodlands we received unaffected hospitality and were charmed with the scenery around us. To-day we come to a fairy-land, with fairies to entertain us living in bowers of roses fit for Eastern princesses—with mile on mile of delicious woodlands and vales for our pleasure-ground." And he spoke truly. The room in which we sat was perfect of its kind-the most fastidious, the eye of the most refined, could have discovered nothing to find fault with. Not an article of furniture denoted pretension, far less vulgarity or ostentation. All was simple elegance and ease. A pale green paper covered the sides of the room, around which ran a broad gold moulding; above the small white marble chimney-piece a handsome pier glass, with antique gilded framing, rose nearly to the ceiling, which was low. All the furniture was of satin wood, the sofa and arm-chairs being covered with a small simple chintz, of a light green flowery pattern, to match the paper. At the one end, a double sliding panel, now thrown wide, discovered a beautiful small conservatory, in perfect keeping with the drawing-room, filled with the most blooming and sweet-scented but not expensive flowers, on which the moon now shone in refulgent brightness. Truly was it a fairy scene-fitting residence for its inmates. Another small room opened from the further end, which was termed a morning-room or boudoir; this was filled with books, save above the fire-place were hung several good pictures of those loved in life and whose remembrance was valued in death-not all, however, of man and woman and children, but of those dumb animals which, as is generally the case with all kind hearts, they loved to have in companionship on all occasions. A small dining-room in addition formed the whole ground-floor of this charming little abode, save the offices, which were in proportion to the remainder of the house; the bed-rooms, few in number, being all equally elegant, and abounding in comforts so welcome to those who, not demanding the extravagancies, yet love the conveniences of civilized life. Sweet is the recollection of that evening, passed in cheerful conversation and friendly intercourse in that charming house; and when at length, finding we had already trespassed by two hours on their |