Having, at last, satisfied himself, he proceeded to inquire after the state of my appetite. He smiled benignantly when I confessed that I was excessively well prepared to testify its capacities (the first idea of all kind-hearted, old-fashioned people, is to stuff you), and, silently motioning to the grey-headed servant who stood in attendance, till receiving the expected sign, he withdrew, Lord Glenmorris informed me that dinner was over for every one but myself, that for me it would be prepared in an instant, that Mr. Toolington had expired four days since, that my mother was, at that moment, canvassing for me, and that my own electioneering qualities were to open their exhibition with the following day. After this communication there was a short pause. "What a beautiful place this is!" said I, with great enthusiasm. Lord Glenmorris was pleased with the compliment, simple as it was. "Yes," said he, "it is, and I have made it still more so than you have yet been able to perceive." "You have been planting, probably, on the other side of the park?" "No," said my uncle, smiling; "Nature had done every thing for this spot when I came to it, but one, and the addition of that one ornament is the only real triumph which art ever can achieve." "What is it?" asked I; "oh, I know--water." "You are mistaken," answered Lord Glenmorris; "it is the ornament of-- happy faces." I looked up to my uncle's countenance in sudden surprise. I cannot explain how I was struck with the expression which it wore: so calmly bright and open!--it was as if the very daylight had settled there. "You don't understand this at present, Henry," said he, after a moment's silence; "but you will find it, of all rules for the improvement of property, the easiest to learn. Enough of this now. Were you not au desespoir at leaving Paris?" "I should have been, some months ago; but when I received my mother's summons, I found the temptations of the continent very light in comparison with those held out to me here." "What, have you already arrived at that great epoch, when vanity casts off its first skin, and ambition succeeds to pleasure? Why--but thank Heaven that you have lost my moral--your dinner is announced." Most devoutly did I thank Heaven, and most earnestly did I betake myself to do honour to my uncle's hospitality. I had just finished my repast, when my mother entered. She was, as you might well expect from her maternal affection, quite overpowered with joy, first, at finding my hair grown so much darker, and, secondly, at my looking so well. We spent the whole evening in discussing the great business for which I had been summoned. Lord Glenmorris promised me money, and my mother advice; and I, in my turn, enchanted them, by promising to make the best use of both. CHAPTER XXXV. Cor. Your good voice, Sir--what say you? 2nd Cit. You shall have it, worthy Sir. --Coriolanus.