Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-12-16

To her this brother was the embodiment O.
excellence, almost of perfection. She coule
scarcely find a flaw in him, and if she evel
did so, it assumed the shape of virtue il
her eyes. And yet Cyril was not perfect
Perhaps be was the most faulty in character
of them all, inasmuch as his nature was tht
weakest, the least capable of Offering resist
ance to evil. Fortunately no temptation, a
least of any strong kind, had so far come il
his way. fit should, he was at least sur
rounded by "a strong wall of defence, in foul
devoted hearts that daily offered up ferven
prayers for his welfare and surely mother
and sisters prayers would count for much in
his favor. Amiable, generous, and highly
gifted, he was calculated everywhere to make
friends; and had his talents been equalled by
his resolution, he might have gone through
the world with little danger Of being scathed
One great safeguard that he possessed was
his strong affection for those at home, particu
larly for his mother; and probably nothing
would so effectually have restrained him, in q
case where he might be tempted to do wrong
as the recollection of the pain such wrong.
doing would cause her-if only that recollec.
ton should come in time.
Having introduced my patient reader thus,
at length TO the various members of the Hope
family, let us return to DR.. Rexford's COM
Portable rectory, where Cyril was, for the
present, installed. 1t was now Wednesday,
the Wednesday after his arrival in the parish,
and ON this evening he was to drink tea with
Lady Hungerford. He felt slightly nervous
on the occasion. He had been very little in
society of any sort, and was not quite sure
whether he should feel perfectly at ease in the
atmosphere of the fine lady's house. She had
assured him, in her note of invitation, that
he would meet no company. She wanted to
have him to herself, she graciously added,
that she might have an opportunity of really
becoming acquainted with him. Of course,
this was fattering; but, at the same time, he
did not know but that whole evening spent
tste.a.tste with her ladyship might prove some.
thing of bore. :.
However, the invitation had been duly &C..
cepted, and there was nothing for it but that
he should 60. So he arrayed himself in his
best black suit, with the conventional white
necktie, and at seven o'clock set out from the
rectory, having been requested to present
himself at Hungerford Hall little before
eight. The distance between the two places
was not great, but having no horse at his dis
posal, he walked, and having to walk; he pre-
ferred to start early, 50 that he could take his
time and reach his destination without being
hurried or fatigued.
Hungerford Hall was handsome stone ed
i6ce, though less imposing in outward appear.
ance than Linton Towers. 1t stood on a
broad expanse of beautifully level lawn,
skirted by belt of fine trees, through which
in front, broad avenue had been cut. Pass.
ing up this avenue, our young divine found
himself at a massive iron gate, which stood
Hospitality open. He entered, crossed the
lawn, mounted the marble steps Of the front
entrance, and, before he could ring, was met
by liveried servant, who Immediately ush.
cred him in.
A cosy little parlor, with tea. table, set for
three, drawn near bow-window, met his
view No one was visible in it when he en-.
tered but almost Immediately after, his host
ess, richly but plainly attired, made her ap-
pearance. She welcomed him with cordial
empressement, assured him of her pleasure at
his coming, and invited him to sit down,
drawing forward, at the same time, most in
viting deep chair for his use.
81 had you brought in here without cere-
mony," she said, because it's where l always
have my tea in summer, and I always make
the tea myself. I want you to feel quite at
home If there's anything 1 dislike, it is cer'
emony and stiffness. Now, tell me all about
yourself, and how it was that old DR.. Rex
ford came to send for you without saying q
word to anybody. It's delightful surprise
to the parish but we wouldn't have given
the old man credit for so much forethoug hit. !"
Cyril laughed, and being put at ease direct
ly by her manner, told her all she wanted to
know. He had finished his explanation Of
the Doctors departure and his own arrival,
and had just begun to discourse of his family
at home, when there came a sound of wheels
rolling up to the door.
''There's Lady Hepburn, now," said Lady
Hungerford and directly afterward, Miriam
was ushered in.
TO BE CONTINUED.