Ishmael | Page 5

of his birthday."
They had now reached the top of the hill and come upon a full view of
the house and grounds.
The house, as I said, was a very elegant edifice of white free-stone; it
was two stories in height, and had airy piazzas running the whole
length of the front, both above and below; a stately portico occupied
the center of the lower piazza, having on each side of it the tall
windows of the drawing-rooms. This portico and all these windows
were now wide open, mutely proclaiming welcome to all comers. The
beautifully laid out grounds were studded here and there with tents
pitched under the shade trees, for the accommodation of the out-door
guest, who were now assembling rapidly.
But the more honored guests of the house had not yet begun to arrive.

And none of the family were as yet visible.
On reaching the premises the sisters were really embarrassed, not
knowing where to go, and finding no one to direct them.
At length a strange figure appeared upon the scene--a dwarfish mulatto,
with a large head, bushy hair, and having the broad forehead and high
nose of the European, with the thick lips and heavy jaws of the African;
with an ashen gray complexion, and a penetrating, keen and sly
expression of the eyes. With this strange combination of features he
had also the European intellect with the African utterance. He was a
very gifted original, whose singularities of genius and character will
reveal themselves in the course of this history, and he was also one of
those favored old family domestics whose power in the house was
second only to that of the master, and whose will was law to all his
fellow servants; he had just completed his fiftieth year, and his name
was Jovial.
And he now approached the sisters, saying:
"Mornin', Miss Hannah--mornin', Miss Nora. Come to see de show? De
young heir hab a fool for his master for de fust time to-day."
"We have come to the birthday celebration; but we do not know where
we ought to go--whether to the house or the tents," said Hannah.
The man tucked his tongue into his cheek and squinted at the sisters,
muttering to himself:
"I should like to see de mist'ess' face, ef you two was to present
yourselves at de house!"
Then, speaking aloud, he said:
"De house be for de quality, an' de tents for de colored gemmen and
ladies; an' de barn for de laborin' classes ob de whites. Shall I hab de
honor to denounce you to de barn?"
"I thank you, yes, since it is there we are expected to go," said Hannah.
Jovial led the way to an immense barn that had been cleaned out and
decorated for the occasion. The vast room was adorned with festoons of
evergreens and paper flowers. At the upper end was hung the arms of
the Brudenells. Benches were placed along the walls for the
accommodation of those who might wish to sit. The floor was chalked
for the dancers.
"Dere, young women, dere you is," said Jovial loftily, as he introduced
the sisters into this room, and retired.

There were some thirty-five or forty persons present, including men,
women, and children, but no one that was known to the sisters. They
therefore took seats in a retired corner, from which they watched the
company.
"How many people there are! Where could they all have come from?"
inquired Nora.
"I do not know. From a distance, I suppose. People will come a long
way to a feast like this. And you know that not only were the tenants
and laborers invited, but they were asked to bring all their friends and
relations as well!" said Hannah.
"And they seemed to have improved the opportunity," added Nora.
"Hush, my dear; I do believe here come Mr. Brudenell and the ladies,"
said Hannah.
And even as she spoke the great doors of the barn were thrown open,
and the young landlord and his family entered.
First came Mr. Brudenell, a young gentleman of medium height, and
elegantly rather than strongly built; his features were regular and
delicate; his complexion fair and clear; his hair of a pale, soft, golden
tint; and in contrast to all this, his eyes were of a deep, dark, burning
brown, full of fire, passion, and fascination. There was no doubt about
it--he was beautiful! I know that is a strange term to apply to a man, but
it is the only true and comprehensive one to characterize the personal
appearance of Herman Brudenell. He was attired in a neat black dress
suit, without ornaments of any kind; without even a breastpin or a
watch chain.
Upon his arm leaned his mother, a tall, fair woman