310 THE VICARAGE. 



but not before the former had promised to pass 

 a few days at the Vicarage before he departed to 

 join his regiment. Lucy heard this announcement 

 with a degree of pleasure which she was unable 

 to conceal. The handsome young officer, his 

 courage, his wounds, his old family all these 

 added to the service he had rendered them, caused 

 her to consider him as the beau ideal of a hero on 

 which her imagination had sometimes dwelt. He 

 was not less struck with the charms of Lucy, nor 

 was this to be wondered at. She had youth, 

 beauty, a fascination of manner, and a playfulness 

 of disposition, joined to great good sense and 

 sweetness of temper, which were perfectly capti- 

 vating. With this mutual feeling towards each 

 other, they separated. 



It is unnecessary to state how much pleasure 

 the safe arrival of the party at the Vicarage caused, 

 or with what interest the detail of their adventures 

 was listened to. In process of time, due prepara- 

 tions were made to receive their expected guest. 

 A cheerful bed-room was got ready, containing a 

 furniture of dimity, white as snow : (who does not 

 feel the pleasure of awakening in the morning and 

 finding himself in a bed of this description.) A 

 casement window opened to the morning sun, 

 having honeysuckles and jasmine trained around 

 it, emitting a delightful fragrance, while birds sang 

 their notes of gratitude from the adjoining lilacs, 



