CHAPTER XIV. "After long storms and tempests overblowne, SPENSER. CHRISTMAS at Compton! No more charm ing old house could have been found at which to spend "merry Christmas" than Compton Hall. Its very look suggested "family gatherings," blazing fires, innocent mirth, and deep, hearthappiness. Its spacious entrance-hall was the most hospitable reception-room visitor ever entered; and when the bright scarlet curtains were drawn closely across the windows--when, through the open doors of the various apartments, the ruddy glow from roaring, crackling, blazing fires came streaming in, illumining the polished floor; when the fine, broad antlers of the noble stag's head were hung with holly, and the old oak staircase and gallery were similarly adorned; when dear Mrs. Compton sat there, a sweet living emblem of hospitality, and groups of gay and happy ones circled round, it was impossible to help yielding to the spirit of the place, and each one wishing that all the distressed ones of the world could be gathered into a fold of peace and love, to share the joys and privileges of that happy time. The party assembled at Compton consisted of the various members of the family, with whom the reader is already acquainted, and also included a goodly list of "cousins" of various degrees of affinity, and all the bachelors and old maids within sevaral miles of the Hall, amongst whom might be reckoned Miss Rice, with her attendant swain, Mr. Barleycrop, "dearest Croppy." Reginald, returned from his wanderings, was there with Rose, grown quite a matronly looking person, with a sweet little bud in her arms. The latter was welcomed as the "young heir;" and a great fuss was made with him in consequence. Baby" was everything—the largest, the fattest, the prettiest, and altogether the most wonderful baby that had ever been seen; and its young mother talked such pretty nonsense to it, and allowed it to twine its little soft hand, with its "waxen touches," amongst her long ringlets, never thinking "what a fright" she would look at the disarrangement, till the two formed a sweet picture. Reginald would sometimes pinch "the boy's" cheeks, and pronounce him "a fine fellow," his "little Jew;" and the young gentleman seemed to possess a peculiar attraction to many, from having first seen the light in the Sacred City. Rose, also, as a traveller, possessed great interest; and the neighbouring country gentility made a point of visiting Compton to see Mrs. Reginald, who had actually been beyond Egypt (into what country though they did not know their geographical knowledge did not extend so far), and had seen the Pyramids and mummies, and "all that ;" and one old lady looked upon her as a special favourite of Providence in having been spared from the jaws of alligators and black men, and was astonished on hearing that the baby was white, imagining that, having been born in the East, it must be black. As to Reginald, he looked, if anything, handsomer and wickeder than ever. "Well, Mr. Compton," said Miss Rice to him, "you've had enough of travelling by this time, I should think." Enough, my dear Madam! Not a halfquarter enough-seen scarcely anything yet. "You don't say so !-astonishing, really!" O, no What's a trifle like that? A mere bagatelle. I've India to do, Ma'am, China, Krim Tartary, Kamschatka—” Mercy! my dear Sir! You'll make me shiver.' "Then, there's the other hemisphere yet to be done. The West is as interesting in its way as the other-grand field for observation. I intend being off there very soon." Miss Rice's mouth would have made a good fly-trap at this moment. "New York first," he proceeded, "cities of the Union; Canada, into the backwoods; then down South-Mexico-California-” Miss Rice thought she had met with the veritable "Juif Errant," and turning to Mr. Barleycrop who approached her at this moment, she cried: "O! dearest Barley, listen to Mr. Compton, it's terrible to hear him." "Indeed! very happy I'm sure-very happy, what is the-the subject-may I inquire -may I inquire-ahem!" 'Why if it's not impertinent, may I ask what trip you have decided on, for the wedding tour ?" "O, Mr. Reginald !" exclaimed the fair fiancée, bending down her head, "spare my delicate, sensitive, delicious feelings! it is not a subject, I assure you, on which I can speak -that happy time !". Well," said Mr. Barleycrop, "I've suggested several to Constantia, but as our nuptials are to take place at a somewhat inclement season, we cannot travel far; and I thought of Bath or Cheltenham-such sweet reminiscences cling to those charming spots! boyhood's days' and all that sort of thing |