"Dat's jes' what I been a-sayin' to myself, sir. But we shall find out
now directly."
While this short conversation went on, the carriage drew nearer and
nearer, and finally rolled up to the door and stopped. Steps were
rattled down, someone alighted, and the bell was rung.
Jovial flew to open the door--curiosity giving wings to his feet.
Mr. Brudenell remained standing in the middle of the drawing-room,
attentive to what was going on without. He heard Jovial open the door;
then a woman's voice inquired: "Is this Brudenell Hall?"
"In course it is, miss."
"And are the family at home?"
"Yes, miss, dey most, in gen'al, is at dis hour ob de night, dough dey
don't expect wisiters."
"Are all the family here?"
"Dey is, miss."
"All right, coachman, you can take off the luggage," said the woman, and
then her voice, sounding softer and farther off, spoke to someone still
within the carriage: "We are quite right, my lady, this is Brudenell
Hall; the family are all at home, and have not yet retired. Shall I
assist your ladyship to alight?"
Then a soft, low voice replied: "Yes, thank you, Phoebe. But first give the dressing-bag to the man to
take in, and you carry Fidelle."
"Bub--bub--bub--bub--but," stammered the appalled Jovial, with his arms
full of lap-dogs and dressing-bags that the woman had forced upon him,
"you better some of you send in your names, and see if it won't be
ill-convenient to the fam'ly, afore you 'spects me to denounce a whole
coach full of travelers to my masser! Who is you all, anyhow, young
woman?"
"My lady will soon let you know who she is! Be careful of that dog! you
are squeezing her! and here take this shawl, and this bird-cage, and
this carpetbag, and these umbrellas," replied the woman, overwhelming
him with luggage. "Here, coachman! bring that large trunk into the hall!
And come now, my lady; the luggage is all right."
As for Jovial, he dropped lap-dogs, bird-cages, carpetbags and
umbrellas plump upon the hall floor, and rushed into the drawing-room,
exclaiming: "Masser, it's an invasion of de Goffs and Wandalls, or some other sich
furriners! And I think the milishy ought to be called out."
"Don't be a fool, if you please. These are travelers who have missed
their way, and are in need of shelter this bitter night. Go at once, and
show them in here, and then wake up the housekeeper to prepare
refreshments," said Mr. Brudenell.