The Return. The voices of my home! I hear them still; They have been with me through the dreamy night - My heart's clear depths with unalloy'd delight! I hear them still, unchanged: though some from earth Are music parted, and the tones of mirth, (Wild silvery tones, that rang through days more bright!) Have died in others,- yet to me they come, Singing of boyhood back,-the voices of my home! MRS. HEMANS. I A Chapter V. FEW weeks had passed away after the scene recorded in the last chapter, before I received intelligence that Mark Fullerton had returned to the Mynchery; and the heavy increase of parochial duties which the Christmas season always brings with it, filling up my leisure, and diverting my thoughts into other channels, New-Year's day arrived without my having been able to call at Godsholme, or feeling much surprise that the young heir had not found his way to the vicarage of Yateshull. He has much to arrange and settle, thought I, on taking possession of his estate after such a long absence; so I will not be inconveniently early in my visit. However, my scruples were soon brought to an end by a few words which dropped from an old acquaintance of the reader's, whom I met one morning in my village-Miss Burr; no longer, however, a spinster, but the smart, bustling wife of Mr. Badger, the attorney, who was said to have married her out of sheer gratitude for the increased amount of professional business which had accrued to him from the quarrels produced by Miss Prowle's indefatigable mischief-making. 66 66 Have you seen Mr. Fullerton, sir?” said she. O yes, sir; a fortnight ago. Saw him the very afternoon he arrived; indeed I may say I was the first person in Chatterton that had the pleasure. I saw him in our looking-glass." 66 Saw him in your looking-glass?" said I, in some surprise. "Yes, sir; the moment his carriage came down the hill I caught a glimpse of him. It's very pleasant to know what's going on; and I have hung the looking-glass in our parlour so as to command a view of the street, you know; and I mostly sit before it, and then I can tell who's coming into the town, and who's going out of it." 66 Very true, ma'am ; and you saw Mr. Fullerton immediately, I dare say. Mr. Badger, no doubt, continues in the agency." 'Yes, sir; he asked Mr. Badger to dinner that very day. To be sure, Mr. B. had dined; but, of course, he couldn't refuse. I was very glad he went, though he was poorly after it; there were only they two; but every thing was in the first style, just as it should be; fish, patties, and all. Very promising young man is Mr. Fullerton! Pity he is a dissenter!" |