Were they practicable for the coach to pass with safety? The coach might pass in perfect safety, for though the snow laid on the mountains, the road was clear, and he saw no danger. The report was satisfactory; the servant was dismissed, and the coachman summoned: upon enquiry made as to matters within his department, every thing thereunto appertaining, horses and carriage, were ready for the start. Cecilia was now called into council, and the important project was announced to her: It occasioned some surprise to her at first on account of its uncommon spirit and vivacity, but she gave it no opposition, nor even moved the previous question--The kindness of the motive, and care for her dear father’s safety, occupied her gentle thoughts:--Were the roads safe, and would he go alone? The roads were safe, and as he wished to have some private talk with his brother Morgan upon family affairs, he would go alone, and return to her on the next day. It was resolved: the grand affair was settled: the solemn fiat was announced; the note of preparation was sounded through all the lower regions of the castle, and echoed through the range of stables--Our master goes to-morrow to Glen-Morgan, and will stay out a whole night! When tidings of this extraordinary event were announced to Colonel Wilson, he was in the common parlour, and had sate down to chess with Mr. Philip De Lancaster, who took much content in that narcotic game, of which however he scarce understood a single principle. Going to Glen-Morgan, cried Wilson! this is news indeed: I am astonished.--I am cheque-mated, said Philip; I cannot move a man.--By Heavens! but I am moved with pleasure and surprise, exclaimed Wilson, to hear that your good father meditates a visit to Glen-Morgan.--It is not above twenty miles, said the other, and the coach is easy; he may sleep in it all the way.--The devil he may, rejoined Wilson: You might as well expect the coachman to fall asleep.--That is not impossible, said Philip, he is very fat and drowsy. But now I think of it, I’ll go and angle for some perch: I shall like to send my father-in-law a few fish of my own catching. Do so, cried Wilson: you can stand still and catch them.--With these words he stumped out of the room, and turning into the library, where De Lancaster was sitting--I come to congratulate you, said he, as he entered, upon the resolution you have taken. It will warm the heart of my old friend Morgan to be flattered with a visit from the man in all the world he most esteems and honours. If it will give him any pleasure, I shall not regret my pains.