A PIC NIC. 113 



number of her friends. Nor was her solicitude for the general 

 welfare more remarkable than her entire disinterestedness 

 touching the fate of her husband and daughter. Not once did 

 the name of honest John escape those lips which once had 

 vowed to him so much of cherishing and of obedience; and 

 when not a few friends offered to search for the general favourite, 

 Adelaide, their services were declined by the mother, with an 

 assurance that Adelaide was quite safe ; that Maria was com- 

 fortable in a summer-house with Sir James Burton, and Julia 

 snug under a tree with several young men, who would of course 

 take care of her. In the general need, sundry and various were 

 the destinies of each; and tedious it were to recount them. 

 Suffice it to say that the Reverend Mr. Proseit, and his friend 

 the colonial Jurist, faithful now in their partnership of water, as 

 before of wine, were seen, together still, slowly returning, midway 

 up the lawn, disdaining the pudder o'er their heads, each impris- 

 oning, with tenacious gripe, a button of the other, as in act of 

 argument, as he enforced, with the protruded finger of the other 

 hand, his still unfinished syllogism. Lady Venena, alone still, 

 and shunned of all, was providing singly for the refuge of that 

 hated self, in whose comfort none but self bore any interest; 

 and Mr. Docet, the tutor, mindful of classic precedent, had fled, 

 like another ^.neas, 



" as Love or Fortune guides," 



with the elderly Miss Di. Doleman, to the inviting shelter of 

 Dripstone Cave. 



At last the storm subsided, and the victims began to arrive, 

 wet to the skin, and draggled with dirt. But that was now 

 past all help. And if hot blankets, dry clothes, negus, and punch, 

 had any restorative virtue, every restorative was there, and in 

 plenty. Then began inquiries concerning absentees. Then did 

 Mrs. Emery, maugre Mrs. Aliington's considerate efforts to stop 

 her, lest she should needlessly alarm fond parents by proclaiming 

 who was missing, insist on calling over the muster-roll. All, 

 save three, answered to their names. These three were Adelaide, 

 Mrs. Eglantine, and young Lord D. 



P>ery eye turned to Mrs. Allington — every tongue conjured 

 her not to be uneasy But she, " mistress of their passions and 

 her own," was perfectly at ease, and retaliated their entreaties to 

 her to be composed with a corresponding command to them to 

 think nothing at all about it : " Lord D. was so good-natured ; 

 he would take care of her dear child, who was as safe as with 

 VOL. v.— 1835. p 



