es, the deer clustered beneath
their umbrageous branches, with their spacious flower-terraces and long
avenues of limes, arching chestnuts, or venerable oaks, reaching from
the house to the distant road, and terminating in snug little ivy-
covered lodges and heavy ornamental iron gates with massive stone piers,
moss-grown, and surmounted by time-worn and weather-stained stone
sculptures of the arms of the family; the drowsy chime of the church-
clocks; the barking of dogs; the lowing of cattle; the voices of
herdsmen or field-labourers singing as they wended their weary way
homeward after the labour and heat of the day--the sound softened and
mellowed by distance; all combined to render that journey one of the
most pleasant and enjoyable I had ever undertaken, notwithstanding the
pain and discomfort which I experienced from my wounded arm.

The evening passed on; the lovely, silent twilight insensibly deepened
into night; the stars twinkled forth, one by one, in the pure, clear,
deepening blue overhead; the road gradually widened; the houses along
its sides became more and more frequent, the atmosphere thickened; the
horizon ahead grew luminous; lights appeared and rapidly increased in
number, soon they were glancing on both sides of us; a dull, heavy roar
became audible, and finally, as the church-clocks were striking the hour
of midnight, the chaise pulled up before the door of my uncle's house in
Saint James's Square; and I had arrived in town.

As the post-boy let down the steps and threw open the carriage-door for
me to alight, I could see through the fanlight over the door that there
was a light in the hall, so I felt pretty certain that my uncle had not
yet retired. I ran up the steps and gave the bell-handle a tug which
speedily brought old Timothy to the door.

"Has Sir Peregrine retired yet, Tim?" said I.

"He has not, sir," replied the ancient, "but I much doubt if he will see
any one at such a late--Why, I declare, if it ain't Master Ralph! Come
in, sir; come in. Sir Peregrine is in the libr'y. Won't he be glad to
see you, just! He's always looking through the paper to see if there's
any news of the `Juno,' or if your name is mentioned, sir. This is an
unexpected visit, though, Master Ralph; I hope there's nothing wrong,
sir."

"Oh dear, no! quite the reverse I hope, Tim, my boy. I've been sent
home with despatches. Now, lead the way to the library, if you please."

This short confabulation pas