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10 the information, and all that she could gather was that they had been very poor and in great distress, that he had known them to be honest and industrious domestics, formerly in the service of his father, and as they were too infirm any longer to assist themselves, he felt happy it had fallen to his lot to supply their little wants.

"And is poor old Margery capable of attending to all the concerns of the cottage," inquired Rosilia, "within as well as without?"

"She has nothing to do, poor soul," answered Sir Howard, "but sit at her spinning-wheel and feed her poultry; all beside is performed by a robust country girl."

He sought to change the topic, and soon after arrived at the barouche in waiting.

The shades of evening were already advanced, but Sir Howard solicited the permission of Mrs. De Brooke to proceed a little further previous to returning home, in order to enjoy the view of a dell, remarkable for its extent, beauty, and romantic appearance.