"The wind making love, Percy!" repeated Emmeline, laughing; "I neither hear that, nor the carriage wheels kissing the ground." "Well done, Tiny! my poetry is beaten hollow; but there--there--I am sure it is a carriage!" and Percy bounded from the table so impetuously as nearly to upset it, flung back the curtain, and looked eagerly from the window. Herbert closed his book to listen; Emmeline left her nearly-completed map, and joined Percy; Caroline evidently tried to resume serenity, but, too proud to evince it, industriously pursued her work, breaking the thread almost every time that she drew out the needle. "It is nothing, Percy; how could you disappoint us so?" said Herbert, in a tone of regret. "My good fellow, you must be deaf--listen! nearer and louder--and, look there, Emmeline, through those trees, don't you see something glimmering? that must be the lamp of the carriage." "Nonsense, Percy, it is a glowworm." "A glowworm! why, Em., the thought of seeing mamma has blinded you. What glowworm ever came so steadily forward? No! there is no mistake now. Hurrah, it is the carriage; here Robert, Morris, Ellis, all of you to the hall! to the hall! The carriage is coming down the avenue." And with noisy impatience, the young gentleman ran into the hall, assembled all the servants he had named, and others too, all eager to welcome the travelers; flung wide back the massive door, and he and Herbert both were on the steps several minutes before the carriage came in sight. CHAPTER II. THREE ENGLISH HOMES, AND THEIR INMATES.