Such had been Anna’s outspoken objection to the trip to Europe. But her secret objection was that it would take her too far and keep her too long from her beloved and venerable grandfather. So at last it had been settled to the satisfaction of all parties that they should make a tour of the Northern cities. And now they had gone. But the wedding guests remained. The music and the dancing were kept up without flagging until the sun set, and the darkness and dampness of the night had come on. Then the two self-appointed “marshals of the day” took upon themselves to pay and discharge the brass band. The company soon followed the musicians, and old Lyon Hall was once more left to peace and quietness. CHAPTER X. GENERAL LYON’S CONSOLATION. In this dim world of clouding cares We rarely know till wildered eyes See white wings lessening up the skies The angels with us unawares!—MASSETT. After the last guests were gone, the house was very quiet. General Lyon went up to his study. Drusilla lingered a little while below to give orders to the servants. “Close up all the rooms on this floor now. Disturb nothing until morning. I wish everything to be kept very still so that the General may rest and recover from the fatigue of this exciting day. Marcy, have the tea served in my sitting room. Leo, do you be up early in the morning and see that the breakfast parlor—the little one—is made very tidy before we come down. The other rooms had best be left closed until the General goes for his daily ride. Then they can be restored to order.” Having thus given her directions to ensure the comfort of the old gentleman, Drusilla went up into the nursery where her little Leonard was laughing, crowing and screaming in his nurse’s arms. “I do think as he’s beside himself, ma’am,” said Pina. “He’ll never get over this wedding as long as he lives. When I had him out on the lawn there, and the band was playing and the ladies and gentlemen were dancing, he jumped so as I could hardly keep him from leaping out of my arms.” “He did enjoy it as much as any of us, didn’t he, Pina?” said the young mother, standing and smiling over the nurse and child. “Oh, didn’t he though, ma’am? Look at him now; it’s in him yet! And such a time I had bringing him in the house. He did not want to come in at all, even after the music went away. He didn’t cry, ma’am, but he made such signs, and then he fought. Yes, indeed he did, ma’am, he fought me in the face because I brought him in.” “Why, Pina, I can hardly believe it!”