At all events, serious feelings had been excited in the minds of the ladies; and even Sir Andrew himself partook of them, and no longer tasked his imagination for something remarkably witty or singular wherewith to amuse his companions, but very suitably and decently joined his companions in that species of talk which minds of their description would naturally have recourse to on such an occasion. And really, Sir Andrew could talk very well and very rationally when he was once set in the right key; but generally he seemed to think it necessary, in order to make himself agreeable, to be always uttering some quaint saying that should make his hearers laugh. He too often forgot that that which is very well as seasoning, is very unpalatable as food. This is a simile drawn from Sir Andrew’s favorite pursuit, which was the art of cookery, as we have above named. When the party was assembled at dinner, it so happened that the old gentleman, Mr. John Martindale, took his seat at the side of Lady Woodstock, or to speak more definitely, caused Lady Woodstock to take a seat at his side. Some elderly unmarried gentlemen are remarkable for their love of monotony and exactness, always choosing the same seat, and ever going through the same daily routine. It was quite the reverse with John Martindale. In his own residence there was nothing of uniformity, and in his own habits there was nothing like regularity. He would sometimes rise at four or five, and sometimes not till eleven or twelve; and more than once he has been known to breakfast one day at the very same hour, at which he had dined the preceding day. He had the same crotchet in other houses where he could take the liberty, and in fact would rarely enter any house in which he was not so indulged. When he was at the Abbey, it was his very frequent practice to take a seat at table before any of the rest of the party, and to call some one by name to sit by him; and on these occasions he was generally very talkative; but if he were silently inclined, he would go creeping to the lower end of the table like a humble tolerated guest, and never speak but when spoken to; and that was not frequently when amongst those who were acquainted with his habits. The present was not the first time that he had so distinguished Lady Woodstock; indeed, so frequently on other occasions, and at other tables, had he singled out this lady, that it is not to be wondered at that a rumour should have gone abroad of an intention on the old gentleman’s part to make her ladyship an offer of his hand. To say the truth, even Philip himself began to have some apprehensions, and rather to increase in his polite attentions to Miss Sampson.