ir master, after having been thought dead so long,
their joy broke out into a thousand extravagances. When we entered the
court yard, we were surrounded by a vast number, who crowded together
so closely to see us that several were in danger of being squeezed to
death; those who were near Don Rodrigo fell upon their knees, and kissed
his hand, or the hem of his garment, praying aloud for long life and
prosperity to him; others approached Narcissa and me in the same manner;
while the rest clapped their hands at a distance, and invoked heaven to
shower its choicest blessings on our heads! In short, the whole scene,
though rude, was so affecting, that the gentle partner of my heart wept
over it, and my father himself could not refrain from dropping a tear.

Having welcomed his daughter and me to his house, he ordered some
bullocks to be killed, and some hogsheads of ale to be brought from the
neighbouring village, to regale these honest people, who had not enjoyed
such a holiday for many years before.

Next day we were visited by the gentlemen in the neighbourhood, most of
them our relations, one of whom brought along my cousin, the foxhunter,
who had stayed at his house since he was obliged to leave his own! My
father was generous enough to receive him kindly, and even promised to
purchase for him a commission in the army, for which he expressed great
thankfulness and joy.

My charming Narcissa was universally admired and loved for her beauty,
affability, and good sense; and so well pleased with the situation of
the place, and the company round, that she has not as yet discovered the
least desire of changing her habitation.

We had not been many days settled, when I prevailed upon my father to
pay a visit to the village where I had been at school. Here we were
received by the principal inhabitants, who entertained us in the church,
where Mr. Syntax the schoolmaster (my tyrant being dead) pronounced a
Latin oration in honour of our family. And none exerted themselves more
than Strap's father and relations, who looked upon the honest valet
as the first gentleman of their race, and honoured his benefactors
accordingly. Having received the homage of this place, we retired,
leaving forty pounds for the benefit of the poor of the parish; and that
very night, Strap being a little elevated with the regard that had been
shown to him, and to me on his account, ventured to tell me, that he had
a sneaking kindness for Miss Williams