Though fires were lit in their several dressing-rooms, of which they were more than once reminded by their respective attendants, they all remained seated before the fire in carriage costume, (except that Kate had thrown aside her bonnet, her half-uncurled tresses hanging in negligent profusion over her thickly-furred pelisse,) eagerly conversing about the little incidents of their journey, and the events which had transpired at Yatton since they had quitted it. At length, however, they retired to perform the refreshing duties of the dressing-room, before sitting down to supper. Of that comfortable meal, within twenty minutes' time or so, they partook with a hearty relish. What mortal, however delicate, could resist the fare set before them--the plump capon, the delicious grilled ham, the poached eggs, the floury potatoes, home-baked bread, white and brown--custards, mince-pies, home-brewed ale, as soft as milk, as clear as amber--mulled claret--and so forth? The travellers had evidently never relished anything more, to the infinite delight of old Mrs. Aubrey; who observing, soon afterwards, irrepressible symptoms of fatigue and drowsiness, ordered them all off to bed--Kate sleeping in the same chamber in which she was sitting when the reader was permitted to catch a moonlight glimpse of her. They did not make their appearance the next morning till after nine o'clock, Mrs. Aubrey having read prayers before the assembled servants, as usual, nearly an hour before--a duty her son always performed when at the Hall; but on this occasion he had overslept himself. He found his mother in the breakfast-room, where she was soon joined by her daughter and daughter-in-law, all of them being in high health and spirits. Just as they were finishing breakfast, little Aubrey burst into the room in a perfect ecstasy--for old Jones had taken him round to the stables, and shown him the little pony which had been recently presented to him. He had heard it neigh--had seen its long tail--had patted its neck--had seen it eat--and now his vehement prayer was, that his papa, and mamma, and Kate would immediately go and see it, and take his little sister also.