atjnt Gordon's friendly little party. 65 



The evening now turning cold and damp, an adjournment 

 was made to the house, and at six o'clock the five staunch 

 friends sat down to dinner, no other company being asked. 



" Ah, well ! " exclaimed Bob, " this is quite delightful ! a 

 snug, cozy family party, without forms or ceremonies, and, after 

 dinner, we will all draw round to the fireside, and thoroughly 

 enjoy ourselves." 



" But we cannot sit drinking port-wine and claret with you 

 gentlemen," replied Mrs. Gordon. 



" Oh, yes, you can, and must, to-night, and we shall see who 

 will be under the table first, a lady or a gentleman," he added, 

 playfully. " Will and I can't stand more than a bottle a-piece, 

 and, I expect, will be floored before the ladies. Then I'll sing 

 some pretty songs, give toasts, and talk of fox-hunting and 

 love-making; we'll have a jolly night of it, won't we, Con- 

 stance ? " 



"I suspect we should, indeed, and a queer morning, too, 

 were we all to finish our bottle round, as you propose ; and fine 

 entertainment it would afford the ladies' -maids, in carrying 

 their mistresses up-stairs to bed." 



" By Jove ! that would be something quite outre, as the 

 monsieurs have it ; and I should like to see old Harcourt's 

 phiz, when the news reached him of the heiress being rather 

 the worse for liquor." 



"Really, Mr. Conyers," exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, "I fear 

 you are already hall seas over, and not fit for ladies' society, to 

 hear you run on in this ridiculous strain." 



" Oh, no, my dear madam, I have taken nothing to-day, 

 before I sat down to your hospitable board, since my breakfast ; 

 but my spirits are quite elated, in this friendly little party, 

 all looking so joyous and happy. And now, ladies (after the 

 dessert had been placed on the table), I vote we remove to the 

 fireside, and, with a table in the centre, make ourselves com- 

 fortable, until you are tired of Beauchamp and myself." The 

 vote being seconded, and carried without opposition, Bob con- 

 tinued — "As I will not venture on a toast with 'Fill the 

 bumpers fair,' I will give you a sentiment instead ; and now, 

 join all hands round — ' May no worldly considerations, or evil 

 influences, sever this link of hands and hearts, now joined so 

 happily together.' " 



" Amen," responded Mrs. Gordon, fervently ; " may they 

 never be rent asunder, but by the hand of Death." 



" Hark ! " exclaimed Conyers, " how the rain patters against 



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