t of her time at Staningley, only coming
to Grassdale occasionally, when the management of affairs, or the
interest of her tenants and dependents, required her presence.

'Near what town is Staningley situated?' I asked. The requisite
information was soon obtained. 'Now then, my man, give me the reins, and
we'll return to M--. I must have some breakfast at the "Rose and Crown,"
and then away to Staningley by the first coach for --.'

At M-- I had time before the coach started to replenish my forces with a
hearty breakfast, and to obtain the refreshment of my usual morning's
ablutions, and the amelioration of some slight change in my toilet, and
also to despatch a short note to my mother (excellent son that I was), to
assure her that I was still in existence, and to excuse my non-appearance
at the expected time. It was a long journey to Staningley for those
slow-travelling days, but I did not deny myself needful refreshment on
the road, nor even a night's rest at a wayside inn, choosing rather to
brook a little delay than to present myself worn, wild, and
weather-beaten before my mistress and her aunt, who would be astonished
enough to see me without that. Next morning, therefore, I not only
fortified myself with as substantial a breakfast as my excited feelings
would allow me to swallow, but I bestowed a little more than usual time
and care upon my toilet; and, furnished with a change of linen from my
small carpet-bag, well-brushed clothes, well-polished boots, and neat new
gloves, I mounted 'The Lightning,' and resumed my journey. I had nearly
two stages yet before me, but the coach, I was informed, passed through
the neighbourhood of Staningley, and having desired to be set down as
near the Hall as possible, I had nothing to do but to sit with folded
arms and speculate upon the coming hour.

It was a clear, frosty morning. The very fact of sitting exalted aloft,
surveying the snowy landscape and sweet sunny sky, inhaling the pure,
bracing air, and crunching away over the crisp frozen snow, was
exhilarating enough in itself; but add to this the idea of to what goal I
was hastening, and whom I expected to meet, and you may have some faint
conception of my frame of mind at the time--only a faint one, though: for
my heart swelled with unspeakable delight, and my spirits rose almost to
madness, in spite of my prudent endeavours to bind them down to a
reasonable platitude by thinking of the undeniable difference bet