THE MIDLANDS AND OTHERS. BY HENRY LYTTLEJOHN. VOL. II. LONDON: ROBERT JOHN BUSH, 32, CHARING CROSS, S.W. 1870. 250.00. 174. THE MIDLANDS AND OTHERS. CHAPTER I. "THEIR graces in the state rooms, I suppose? said Lady de Crecy's housekeeper, to whom the mistress of Tinselby was giving her commands a day or two before the arrival of the party. "Yes: Lady Selina in the blue chintz, and the Seabrights next the chapel." "Is Mr. Evans coming, my lady?" "Certainly: put him in the tower.” ""Mongst all them fusty old books, my lady! La! I wouldn't sleep there for anything. I'm VOL. II, 1 sure the place is haunted; Jane says she hears the groanings every night." "The creakings of the weathercock, you silly woman. As for the books, they are just what Mr. Evans likes." "And the other gentlemen-Sir Percy Froth and Lord St. Kitts, and Mr. Wharton, where are they to be, mum ?" "Anywhere-in the bachelors' rooms." "And the marquis too, my lady ?" "Well, no: I think you had better give Lord Northern the South Tapestry. Are the new sofa and arm-chair come ? Oh, and now I remember it, have the folding-screen moved there from my sitting-room; and bid the carpenter take the 'Shepherdess' down and hang the Raphael' from my boudoir in its place. I'm afraid the room wants a deal of altering to make it comfortable, Spicer." "Do you think so, my lady? why, it's the beautifullest bedroom in the house. There's nothing splendider at Tramways I'm sure; and as to the pictures, the 'Shepherdess' is worth any Raphael, least-ways to my thinking whatsumever, and I expect his lordship will agree with me." "Never mind what he may think, but do as I direct you. And have the fire lighted in the room at once, and keep an eye to it yourself, Spicer." "Let me alone for that, my lady, I'll take care the marquis shall be comfortable. He was always a pet of mine ever since he was in frocks, bless him! I never saw the like of him for dried apricots and damson cheese, when he come home from school that was, and Miss Helen Seabright and him used to romp about together. To think they should be growed up! Ah, well! They do say Miss Seabright is to be the marchioness before |