Clara Maynard | Page 7

in the hearing of Mr Lerew. That gentleman
watched his opportunity, and while Harry had left Clara's side for a
moment, he observed in a low, soft voice, "I see, Miss Maynard, that
you are a young lady of good taste, and above the vulgar prejudices of
the Calvinistic school, who stubbornly refuse to dedicate the best of
their substance and talents to God, and rest satisfied with offering to
Him the ugliest buildings their imaginations can devise, and the refuse
of their possessions."
He stopped on seeing Harry, who quickly rejoined Clara.
"Here they come! here they come!" exclaimed several of the most
hungry of the party, as a tall gentleman and lady, accompanied by two
sombre, well-dressed persons, were seen descending the hill. "Who can
those people be with Sir Reginald and Lady Bygrave, I wonder?" cried
Mrs Sims; "they look to me for all the world like Jesuit priests."
Mr Lerew's countenance brightened, and Master Alfred Lennard
showed more interest than he had hitherto exhibited in any of the

proceedings of the day.
"So I fear they are," observed General Caulfield. "What can have
induced Sir Reginald and his wife to bring them here?"
Mr Lerew, however, with several other persons, hurried up the pathway,
to greet the chief people of that part of their county. Lady Bygrave,
escorted by one of the priests, who gave her his hand at the steeper
parts of the path, came first, and at once introduced their friend
Monsieur l'Abbe Henon, who with his companion, Father Lascelles,
had arrived only that morning, and had begged leave to accompany
them. They had come to see Sir Reginald on the subject of forming a
new settlement in South America, as it was well known he was deeply
interested in the subject of colonisation, and they hoped to obtain his
influence and support.
"They are most delightful people," whispered Lady Bygrave to Miss
Pemberton, who met her ladyship at the bottom of the descent;
"everybody will be pleased with them, they are so full of information,
and so free from prejudices--they will disabuse all our minds of the
vulgar notion that Catholic priests can talk of nothing but masses and
penances; and they are so noble-minded and philanthropic."
The abbe, who overheard what was said, smiled blandly, and addressed
himself to Miss Pemberton. He spoke English perfectly, with only a
slight foreign accent, in a melodious voice, attractive and soothing to
his hearers. He and Father Lascelles bowed politely as they were
introduced to the company, and at once made themselves at home,
uttering not a word to which even the most prejudiced could object.
Lady Bygrave was still young, with a decidedly aristocratic appearance,
and very pleasant manners when she had to be condescending. Sir
Reginald was a tall, good-looking man, who seldom expressed an
opinion, his florid countenance not exhibiting any large amount of
intellect; but as he was considered straightforward and honest, he was
generally liked.
With as little delay as possible, not to show the last comers too much

that they had been waited for, the party assembled round the ample
repast; and while the older gentlemen were employed in carving, the
younger ones, aided by Mrs Sims, busied themselves in carrying round
the plates. The usual conversation at picnics then became general. The
abbe and his companion, having glanced round the company, and
carefully noted each person present, were soon enabled to take part in it.
They said nothing very remarkable, but managed, notwithstanding, to
draw out the opinions of most of those to whom they addressed
themselves. The abbe was especially attentive to Mr and Mrs Lerew,
and both seemed highly flattered with what he said. He fixed his glance
on Master Alfred, and having ascertained who he was, spoke to him in
a gentle, encouraging tone. Mr Lennard himself seemed pleased with
Sir Reginald's visitors, and remarked to General Caulfield that he had
seldom met more agreeable foreigners. "I don't trust them," answered
the general; "the more pleasant and insinuating they are, the more
necessary it is to avoid them. I would never allow such men to enter my
house or become intimate with any of my family."
Captain Maynard entertained much the same feeling as his friend.
Lieutenant Sims never did care about foreigners, and thought the idea
of getting Englishmen to emigrate to such a country as they talked of
was all humbug. The abbe and his friends might have heard many of
the observations made; but whether complimentary or not, they did not
allow a muscle of their countenances to change. Lady Bygrave
happened to upset her wineglass, and soon afterwards the abbe did
exactly the same thing; on which he turned with a bow to her ladyship,
observing, "I am sure whatever Lady Bygrave does