 | The works of Washington Irving |  |
THE MANUSCRIPT.
Yesterday was a day of quiet and
repose after the bustle of May-day.
During the morning I joined the ladies
in a small sitting-room, the windows of
which came down to the floor, and opened
upon a terrace of the garden, which was
set out with delicate shrubs and flowers.
The soft sunshine that fell into the room
through the branches of trees that overhung
the windows, the sweet smell of the
flowers, and the singing of the birds,
seemed to produce a pleasing, yet calming
effect on the whole party, for some time
elapsed without any one speaking. Lady
Lillycraft and Miss Templeton were sitting
by an elegant work-table, near one
of the windows, occupied with some
pretty lady-like work. The captain was
on a stool at his mistress's feet, looking
over some music; and Poor Phœbe
Wilkins, who has always been a kind of
pet among the ladies, but who has risen
vastly in favour with Lady Lillycraft in
consequence of some tender confessions,
sat in one corner of the room, with
swoln eyes, working pensively at some of
the fair Julia's wedding ornaments.
The silence was interrupted by her
ladyship, who suddenly proposed a task
to the captain. "I am in your debt,"
said she, "for that tale you read to us
the other day; I will now furnish one in
return, if you'll read it; an