horse
won, which was, he said, a proof to me that in our country it was common
prudence to stick to Royalty; and he bade me note that if he went in a
carriage and two, he was comparatively unnoticed, whereas when he was
beheld in a carriage and four, with postillions, at a glance from him
the country people tugged their forelocks, and would like, if he would
let them, to kiss his hand. 'We will try the scarlet livery on one of
our drives, Richie,' said he. Mrs. Waddy heard him. 'It is unlawful,
sir,' she said. 'For whom, ma'am?' asked my father. 'None but Royal...'
she was explaining, but stopped, for he showed her an awful frown, and
she cried so that my heart ached for her. My father went out to order
the livery on the spot. He was very excited. Then it was that Mrs.
Waddy, embracing me, said, 'My dear, my own Master Richmond, my little
Harry, prepare your poor child's heart for evil days.' I construed
her unintelligible speech as an attack upon my father, and abused her
violently.
While I was in this state of wrathful championship, the hall-door was
opened. I ran out and caught sight of my aunt Dorothy, in company with
old Mr. Bannerbridge. I was kissed and hugged for I know not how long,
until the smell of Riversley took entire possession of me, and my old
home seemed nearer than the one I lived in; but my aunt, seeing tears
on my cheeks, asked me what was my cause of sorrow. In a moment I poured
out a flood of complaints against Mrs. Waddy for vexing my father. When
she heard of the scarlet livery, my aunt lifted her hands. 'The man is
near the end of his wits and his money together,' said Mr. Bannerbridge;
and she said to me, 'My darling Harry will come back to his own nice
little room, and see his grandpapa soon, won't you, my pet? All is
ready for him there as it used to be, except poor mama. "Kiss my boy,
my Harry--Harry Richmond." Those were her last words on her death-bed,
before she went to God, Harry, my own! There is Sampson the pony,
and Harry's dog Prince, and his lamb Daisy, grown a sheep, and the
ploughboy, Dick, with the big boots.' Much more sweet talk of the same
current that made my face cloudy and bright, and filled me with desire
for Riversley, to see my mother's grave and my friends.
Aunt Dorothy looked at me. 'Come now,' she said; 'come with me, Harry.'
Her trembling seized on me like a fire. I said, 'Yes,' though my heart
sank as if I had lost my father with the word. She caught me in her
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