The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-29

Next II was, "Nay, rather than |
that, will 60 into the library too; why |
should not2" He began to feel, at first |
probably from vague sense of propriety !
only, but before long from better reasons
that it was not very seemly for the master |
OF the house alone to be absent, when the |
worship of God was going on in his family. |
So there he might, as told you, ere long
be seen regularly at night, in the morning |
more and more regularly, muttering the re-
sponses between his teeth at first; at length
saying them aloud, and with greater EN-
phasis than any OF the rest OF the little con-
gregation; his once majestic figure, now
bent with age, towering above the rest; and
his eagle eye Of authority, still astonishing
ly piercing, rolling round from time to
time, upon the watch to detect and rebuke,
by a glance, the slightest sign OF inatten-
tion upon the part OF any Of those assem-
bled.
1t was beautiful picture that evening
meeting for prayer for the library was
verv ancient room, it having retained the
old fittings put in at the time the Hazels
was built, some three half-centuries ago.
The massive and handsome bookcases of
dark oak; the family pictures, grim with
age which hung above them, the urns and
heads of old philosophers aud poets adorn-
ing the cornice; the lofty chimney piece,
with the family armes carved and EN-
blazoned over it; the massive oaken chalrs
with their dark green morocco cushions
the reading desk, the large library table,
covered with portfolios OF rare prints ana
large books containing fine illustrated edi-
tions of the standard authors of England;
gave somewhat serious, almost religious,
aspect to the apartment.
Mrs. Melwyn in her soft gray silks and
fine laces her fair, colorless cheek; her ten
der eyes bent downWards; her devout, gen
tie, meek, humble attitude and expression.
Catherine by her side, in all the full bloom
of health and happiness, that charming"
looking, handsome Edgar, and Lettice, with
so much character in her countenance,
seated upon one side of the room, formed
charming row of listening faces, with this
rugged, magnifcent-looking old General at
their head.
On the opposite side were the grave, stern
old housekeeper, so fat so grave, and SO
Mrs. Melwyn's new maid, a pref
ty young woman, in the lightest possible
apology for a cap, trimmed with pink rib
bons; the laundry maid, so serious, and sit
ting stiff and starched as one of her own
clear muslins; the cook and housemaid,
looking as attentive as they could; and the
under servants staring with vaccnt eyes
eyes that looked as if they were ready to
drop out of their heads; Mr. Buckminster,
as the charming Dickens has it, so respect
able;" Thomas, all spirit and enthusiasm;
and Charles doing all in his power not to
fall asleep.
At the table the young minister, with
that interesting and most delicate face OF
his; his tall, wasted figure bending for
wards, his fair emacated hands resting
upon the book from which, in voice low
and feeble, but most penetrating and sweet,
he read.
They would come back to the drawing
room in such composed, happy, cheerful
| frame of mind The General more remark
ably so. He felt more self-satisfaction than
| the others; because the course OF proceed
| ing was so new to him that he imagined it
| to be very particularly meritorious A bit
of a pharisee you will think, but not the
least of that assure you. Only people, at
their first trying OF such paths, do often
find them most peculiarly paths OF pleas
antness and ways OF peace, and this sort OF
peace, this being at ease with the con-
science, is, to be sure, very soothing and
comfortable.
In short, nothing could proceed better
than things did; and every one was quite
content but the charming matchmaker
Catherine.
She watched and watched with the great
est interest," but watch as she might, she
could detect no symptoms of falling in love
upon the part of Mr.. st. Ledger.
He spent indeed, the whole of his morn