the
teamster in his olive-coloured smock, the hedger in his shirt-sleeves,
and the little bumpkins who had snatched a holiday from scaring the
crows, all seemed, by their delight, to be capable of entering into the
baronet's method of argumentation. All this stimulated Philip's
curiosity to learn what the speechifying tended to. He could catch only
a few words, and those were about "a new man,"--"teach him to take
himself off,"--"all bad things come to an end,"--"new state of things,
soon." Philip was afraid there was treachery here. Margaret had no
other expectation from the man--the tyrannical politician, who bore a
grudge against a neighbour for having used his constitutional liberty
according to his conscience.

Some spectacle now drew the attention of the crowd another way. It was
Lady Hunter, in her chariot and greys, statelily pacing through the
village. She had heard that there was some commotion in Deerbrook; and,
as sights are rare in the country, she thought she would venture to come
to the village to shop, rather than wait for Sir William's account of
the affair in the evening, over their wine and oranges, and before he
dropped off into his nap. She rightly confided in the people, that they
would respect her chariot and greys, and allow her to pass amidst them
in safety and honour. She had never seen a person mobbed. Here was a
good opportunity. It was even possible that she might catch a glimpse
of the ladies in their terrors. At all events, she should be a great
person, and see and hear a great deal: so she would go. Orders were
given that she should be driven quickly up to the milestone beyond the
toll-bar, and then very slowly through Deerbrook to Mrs Howell's. Her
servants were prompt, for they, too, longed to see what was going
forward; and thus they arrived, finding a nice little mob ready-made to
their expectations, and no cause of regret but that they arrived too
late to see Mr Hope get home. There were no ladies in terror within
sight: but then there was the affecting spectacle of Sir William's
popularity. In full view of all the mob, Lady Hunter put a corner of
her embroidered handkerchief to each eye, on witnessing the affection of
his neighbours to her husband, shown by the final shaking of hands which
was now gone through. Sir William then rode slowly up to the
carriage-door, followed by his groom, who touched his hat. Orders were
given to drive on; and then Lady Hunter's serv