We pass over the time spent at Claremont Castle, and again introduce our readers to the dining-room at the Towers, where a large party sat down to a very handsome repast. At the head of the table sat the Marchioness doing the honours of her brother's table with the greatest grace; she had but lately made the Marquis happy by the tribute of a son and heir to his titles. On the right of the Earl sat his bride elect in blushing loveliness, and down the long table we observe many old faces amongst a tribe of new. Talking to a pretty girl sat Sir Richard, about the middle of the table; directly opposite him was the Captain. Frank, lately returned from the Mediterranean, sat a few seats from the Marchioness. Then there was Scroop, Wilson, and Sir Harry Maynard, Major Forster, young Pringle, and numbers of ladies, amongst whom Lady Florence shone next Johnny, who was her devoted admirer; Mr. Lennox, Mr. Power, the clergyman, and Mr. Ravensworth made up a large company. The greatest merriment prevailed, and every one was speaking of the approaching marriage. "How have you amused yourself to-day?" said the Earl, who had been in Edinburgh with Mr. Ravensworth and Ellen, as he cut into the fine haunch of venison that smoked on its massive silver plate; "it has been snowing so hard, I suppose it kept you in the house." "Snow doesn't keep me in," said the Captain; "I and Pringle were riding, though most preferred the ladies' company to snowy roads." "Ah! we had the best of it," said Sir Richard, "had we not, Sir Harry; knocking about the billiard balls with the fair occupants of the Castle?" "What? Why you don't mean to say you played billiards all day, Sir Richard?" "Oh, dear no, my Lord; we spent most of the afternoon in admiring your fine gallery of family pictures; there's a long line of De Veres." "Did you observe any peculiarity in the pictures?" "I can't say I did, my Lord," answered Sir Richard. "I did though," said Sir Harry; "and that was--excuse me, Mr. Lennox, but you are taking white wine with the brown vein of the venison"--(Mr. L. rectified his error)--"that was--hock, if you please,"--(to the footman)--"yes,--what was I saying? Some jelly--I thank you,--yes, yes,--that your Lordship had placed all the old personages on the right side, and all the young on the left side of the fireplaces,--a curious crotchet--some beer,--I thank you." The Colonel was a great _bon vivant_. "It is no arrangement," said the Earl; "but since the time of Earl Hugh, or the Roundhead peer as we call him, none of the family ever became old." "A most curious fancy indeed! Here, Andrew, some more hock; this venison is beyond all praise, my Lord, cooked to the nicety of a minute,--a singular fancy to prefer dying so early,--ha! ha! ha!" "It is no fancy, Sir Harry; you have evidently not heard of the Weird of the Wentworths." "Do, Lord Wentworth, tell it to us,--you have so often promised," said Ellen.