Page:Austen Sanditon and other miscellanea.djvu/81

 Rh did not allow this to be accomplished; Charlotte was on the steps and had rung, but the door was not opened, when the other crossed the Lawn; and when the Servant appeared, they were just equally ready for entering the House. The ease of the Lady, her ‘How do you do, Morgan?’ and Morgan’s Looks on seeing her, were a moment’s astonishment; but another moment brought Mr. Parker into the Hall to welcome the Sister he had seen from the Drawing-room, and she was soon introduced to Miss Diana Parker. There was a great deal of surprise but still more pleasure in seeing her. Nothing could be kinder than her reception from both Husband and Wife. ‘How did she come! and with whom? And they were so glad to find her equal to the Journey! And that she was to belong to them, was a thing of course.’ Miss Diana Parker was about thirty-four, of middling height and slender; delicate looking rather than sickly; with an agreeable face, and a very animated eye; her manners resembling her Brother’s in their ease and frankness, though with more decision and less mildness in her Tone. She began an account of herself without delay, Thanking them for their Invitation, but ‘that was quite out of the question, for they were all three come, and meant to get into Lodgings and make some stay.’ ‘All three come! What! Susan and Arthur! Susan able to come too! This was better and better.’ ‘Yes, we are actually all come. Quite unavoidable. Nothing else to be done. You shall hear all about it. But, my dear Mary, send for the Children; I long to see them.’ ‘And how has Susan borne the Journey? and how is Arthur? and why do not we see him here with you?’ ‘Susan has borne it wonderfully. She had not a wink of sleep either the night before we set out, or last night at Chichester, and as this is not so common with her as with me, I have had a thousand fears for her; but she has kept up wonderfully, had no Hysterics of consequence