Page:Lady Anne Granard 1.pdf/186

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LADY ANNE GRANARD.
181

lowing his example, and going to sleep after dinner. Mr. Gooch had a large easy chair opposite. There was a bookcase on one side, and a work-table on the other, and when the servant brought the tea things, they mutually roused up, and a cup of good tea, both were particular on that point, completely awakened them.

Mrs. Gooch then took her work, and Mr. Gooch a book, which served to draw on a little confidential conversation; the one had the news of the neighbourhood, and the other the news of the city, to communicate. A little before eleven, they had some hot negus, and then went to bed; for Mrs. Gooch always got up to make her husband's breakfast, and he was obliged to be in the city by nine.

Miss Granard's visit was too important not to derange the usual economy of the house—the niece of the Earl of Rotheles was a very different person from the ordinary run of young friends who came to stay a week or so. Mr. Gooch was so far moved from the even tenour, to buy—first a pocket-book, containing a small view of Rotheles Castle, at the top of a neatly-ruled page for memoranda; and, secondly, a number of a work, illustrating the principal gentlemen's seats in England, and containing a large view of the said castle. It was decided that they should sit in the drawing-room, in Miss Granard's especial honour, though Mrs. Gooch's peace of mind was a little disturbed that there was not time to take the covers off