He sprang from his horse in time to assist the old gentleman and the young ladies to alight. And they all entered the house, where Drusilla was greeted by a pleasant surprise. CHAPTER III. SURPRISES. Were her eyes open? Yes, and her mouth, too; Surprise has this effect to make one dumb, Yet leave the gate which eloquence slips through As wide as if a long speech were to come.—BYRON. The family party first separated to go to their several chambers to lay aside their outside wrappings and to prepare for their early Sunday dinner. Then they met in the drawing-room. Drusilla, who had more to do than the others, was the latest to join them. Her baby, that had slept soundly during the long ride from church, was now awake and required attention. While she was engaged in her sweet maternal duties, she received a message from General Lyon requesting that his godson might be brought down into the drawing-room before dinner. So as soon as the young mother had made herself and her child presentable, she went down-stairs, followed by the nurse carrying the babe. On the threshold of the room she paused in pleased surprise, and not so much at the value of the presents displayed before her, as at the new instance of kindness on the part of her friends. On a round table covered with a fine crimson cloth were laid the christening offerings, of great splendor for their kind. There was a richly chased silver casket filled with gold coins from General Lyon. There was a baby’s silver gilt service—consisting of waiter, pap bowl, water jug, and drinking mug, cream pot, sugar basin, sugar tongs and spoons—from Dick. And there was a coral and bells of the finest coral, purest gold, and most superb workmanship, from Anna. “Dear uncle! dear Anna and Dick, how kind, oh how kind, you all are to me and my boy! I cannot tell you how much I feel your kindness. I am very grateful; and I hope, oh, I hope, my dear little Leonard will live to thank you!” fervently exclaimed Drusilla, pressing the hand of her aged benefactor to her heart, and lifting her eyes full of loving gratitude to her young friends, who stood side by side enjoying her delight. “My dear, it gives us as much pleasure to offer you these little tokens of our affection as it can possibly give you to receive them,” answered General Lyon, drawing her towards him and touching her forehead with his lips. “It does indeed, sweet cousin,” added Dick. And Anna, for her answer, silently kissed the young mother. “And now to dinner, which has been announced for twenty minutes,” smiled the old gentleman, drawing Drusilla’s arm within his own and leading the way to the dining-room, where a feast of unusual elegance was laid in honor of the occasion. The day closed in serene enjoyment.