210 THE COUNTRY CLERGYMAN. 



habits, to kill time at a parsonage ninety miles 

 from town, was really a thing not to be thought 

 of. It was thought of notwithstanding, and the 

 invitation, after many a groan, was accepted as 

 oon as the weather would permit. 



On the arrival of the two members of the Athe- 

 naeum at Chesterton, they were received by Dr. 

 Hastings with the utmost cordiality, and soon after- 

 wards were introduced to Mrs. Hastings, whom 

 they found in a well ordered and extensive library. 

 After a few questions, the guests were dismissed 

 to prepare themselves for dinner, and while they 

 are doing so it may be as well to make the reader 

 acquainted with Mrs. Hastings. 



Mrs. Hastings was no longer young, but she 

 was one of those active, good humoured and bust- 

 ling women, ' on hospitable thoughts intent/ who 

 give a great charm to a country residence. If she 

 pressed her guests a little too much to partake of 

 the good cheer before them, it proceeded evidently 

 from a kind desire that they should have what she 

 thought they would like and relish. Her husband 

 now and then checked her eagerness in providing 

 for the wants of her company, but this was done 

 in a playful manner, and the Doctor was quite 

 aware that it was a hopeless case. Indeed every 

 thing, was so good, and so well dressed, that but 

 little persuasion was necessary to induce the guests 

 to do justice to her dinner. The whole menage 



