isage,
"one five six,--all done?--any advance? Going at one five six,--going!
going!--gone!" The hammer fell, and with its tap a sudden silence came
upon the old hall. Then, all at once, the Corn-chandler turned, caught
up his hat, clapped it on, shook a fat fist at Bellew, and crossing to
the door, lumbered away, muttering maledictions as he went.

By twos and threes the others followed him until there remained only
Adam, Bellew, the Auctioneer, and the red-nosed Theodore. And yet, there
was one other, for, chancing to raise his eyes to the minstrel's
gallery, Bellew espied Miss Priscilla, who, meeting his smiling glance,
leaned down suddenly over the carved rail, and very deliberately, threw
him a kiss, and then hurried away with a quick, light tap-tap of
her stick.

CHAPTER XIII

_How Anthea came home_

"Lord!" said Adam, pausing with a chair under either arm, "Lord, Mr.
Belloo sir,--I wonder what Miss Anthea will say?" with which remark he
strode off with the two chairs to set them in their accustomed places.

Seldom indeed had the old hall despite its many years, seen such a
running to and fro, heard such a patter of flying feet, such merry
voices, such gay, and heart-felt laughter. For here was Miss Priscilla,
looking smaller than ever, in a great arm chair whence she directed the
disposal and arrangement of all things, with quick little motions of her
crutch-stick. And here were the two rosy-cheeked maids, brighter and
rosier than ever, and here was comely Prudence hither come from her
kitchen to bear a hand, and here, as has been said, was Adam, and here
also was Bellew, his pipe laid aside with his coat, pushing, and tugging
in his efforts to get the great side-board back into its customary
position; and all, as has also been said, was laughter, and bustle, and
an eager haste to have all things as they were,--and should be
henceforth,--before Anthea's return.

"Lord!" exclaimed Adam again, balanced now upon a ladder, and pausing to
wipe his brow with one hand and with a picture swinging in the other,
"Lord! what ever will Miss Anthea say, Mr. Belloo sir!"

"Ah!" nodded Bellew thoughtfully, "I wonder!"

"What do you suppose she'll say, Miss Priscilla, mam?"

"I think you'd better be careful of that picture, Adam!"

"Which means," said Bellew, smiling down into Miss Priscilla's young,
bright eyes, "that you don't know."

"Well, Mr. Bellew, she'll be very--glad, of course,--happier I think,
than