il
Gerard lived at the great house, and daily glanced like a spirit among
their homes, smiling and met with smiles, blessing and ever blessed.

"And here," she said to Egremont, "I must bid you good bye; and this
little boy," touching gently on his head a very serious urchin who had
never left her side for a moment, proud of his position, and holding
tight her hand with all his strength, "this little boy shall be your
guide. It is not a hundred yards. Now, Pierce, you must take Mr Franklin
to the factory, and ask for Mr Gerard." And she went her way.

They had not separated five minutes when the sound of whirling wheels
caught the ear of Egremont, and, looking round, he saw a cavalcade of
great pretension rapidly approaching; dames and cavaliers on horseback;
a brilliant equipage, postilions and four horses; a crowd of grooms.
Egremont stood aside. The horsemen and horsewomen caracoled gaily by
him; proudly swept on the sparkling barouche; the saucy grooms pranced
in his face. Their masters and mistresses were not strangers to him: he
recognized with some dismay the liveries, and then the arms of Lord de
Mowbray, and caught the cold, proud countenance of Lady Joan, and the
flexible visage of Lady Maud, both on horseback, and surrounded by
admiring cavaliers.

Egremont flattered himself that he had not been recognised, and
dismissing his little guide, instead of proceeding to the factory he
sauntered away in an opposite direction, and made a visit to the church.

The wife of Trafford embraced Sybil, and then embraced her again. She
seemed as happy as the children of the village, that the joy of her
roof, as of so many others, had returned to them, though only for a few
hours. Her husband she said had just quitted the house; he was obliged
to go to the factory to receive a great and distinguished party who were
expected this morning, having written to him several days before for
permission to view the works. "We expect them to lunch here afterwards,"
said Mrs Trafford, a very refined woman, but unused to society, and who
rather trembled at the ceremony; "Oh! do stay with me, Sybil, to receive
them."

This intimation so much alarmed Sybil that she rose as soon as was
practicable; and saying that she had some visits to make in the village,
she promised to return when Mrs Trafford was less engaged.

An hour elapsed; there was a loud ring at the hall-door, the great
and distinguished party had arrived. Mrs Trafford prep