第19章

It appeared at different moments to be everything from the Gig to the Pheaton, from one horse to four; and just as they were concluding in favour of a Tandem, little Mary's young eyes distinguished the Coachman and she eagerly called out, ''Tis Uncle Sidney Mama, it is indeed.' And so it proved.—Mr. Sidney Parker driving his Servant in a very neat Carriage was soon opposite to them, and they all stopped for a few minutes. The manners of the Parkers were always pleasant among themselves— and it was a very friendly meeting between Sidney and his sister- in-law, who was most kindly taking it for granted that he was on his way to Trafalgar House. This he declined however. 'He was just come from Eastbourne, proposing to spend two or three days, as it might happen, at Sanditon—but the Hotel must be hisQuarters—He was expecting to be joined there by a friend or two.'—The rest was common enquiries and remarks, with kind notice of little Mary, and a very well-bred Bow and proper address to Miss Heywood on her being named to him—and they parted, to meet again within a few hours.—Sidney Parker was about seven or eight and twenty, very good-looking, with a decided air of Ease and Fashion, and a lively countenance.—This adventure afforded agreable discussion for some time. Mrs. P. entered into all her Husband's joy on the occasion, and exulted in the credit which Sidney's arrival would give to the place. The road to Sanditon H. was a broad, handsome, planted approach, between fields, and conducting at the end of a quarter of a mile through second Gates into the Grounds, which though not extensive had all the Beauty and Respectability which an abundance of very fine Timber could give.—These Entrance Gates were so much in a corner of the Grounds or Paddock, so near one of its Boundaries, that an outside fence was at first almost pressing on the road—till an angle here, and a curve there threw them to a better distance. The Fence was a proper Park paling in excellent condition; with clusters of fine Elms, or rows of old Thorns following its line almost every where.—Almost must be stipulated—for there were vacant spaces—and through one of these, Charlotte as soon as they entered the Enclosure, caught a glimpse over the pales of something White and Womanish in the field on the other side;—it was something which immediately brought Miss B. into her head—and stepping to the pales, she saw indeed—and very decidedly, in spite of the Mist; Miss B. seated, not far before her, at the foot of the bank which sloped down from the outside of the Paling and which a narrow Path seemed to skirt along;—MissBrereton seated apparently very composedly—and Sir E.D. by her side.—They were sitting so near each other and appeared so closely engaged in gentle conversation, that Charlotte instantly felt she had nothing to do but to step back again, and say not a word.—Privacy was certainly their object.—It could not but strike her rather unfavourably with regard to Clara;—but hers was a situation which must not be judged with severity.—She was glad to perceive that nothing had been discerned by Mrs Parker; If Charlotte had not been considerably the tallest of the two, Miss B.'s white ribbons might not have fallen within the ken of her more observant eyes.—Among other points of moralising reflection which the sight of this Tete a Tete produced, Charlotte could not but think of the extreme difficulty which secret Lovers must have in finding a proper spot for their stolen Interviews.— Here perhaps they had thought themselves so perfectly secure from observation—the whole field open before them—a steep bank and Pales never crossed by the foot of Man at their back— and a great thickness of air, in aid. Yet here, she had seen them. They were really ill-used.—The House was large and handsome; two Servants appeared, to admit them, and everything had a suitable air of Property and Order.—Lady D. valued herself upon her liberal Establishment, and had great enjoyment in the order and the Importance of her style of living.—They were shewn into the usual sitting room, well-proportioned and well-furnished;— tho' it was Furniture rather originally good and extremely well kept, than new or shewey—and as Lady D. was not there, Charlotte had leisure to look about, and to be told by Mrs. P. that the whole-length Portrait of a stately Gentleman, which placed over the Mantlepeice, caught the eye immediately, was the pictureof Sir H. Denham—and that one among many Miniatures in another part of the room, little conspicuous, represented Mr. Hollis.—Poor Mr. Hollis!—It was impossible not to feel him hardly used; to be obliged to stand back in his own House and see the best place by the fire constantly occupied by Sir H. D.