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Rh they should pass the night, it seemed very cheerful. The windows were ruddy with the light within; and when the door opened, it discovered a large warm chamber, and an immense wood fire was reflected from walls lined with pewter plates and dishes, and ranged with a degree of display, which shewed that the preacher's asseveration of "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity," had not sunk very deeply into the landlady's heart.

Mine hostess herself was a pretty-looking woman, who, whether her age approximated most to thirty or forty, would have puzzled even the curious in these matters. She was dressed, according to the universal fashion, in a dark coloured boddice and skirt, and a white linen cap, whose closely plaited border covered her hair, except a narrow braid. It may be doubted whether this scrupulously plain attire at all suited the taste of the wearer; or whether she did not turn with a longing eye to the days when she rejoiced in a scarlet petticoat, and a cap gay with knots of pink riband.

The host himself was one of those very quiet men whom we usually see linked to the most active helpmates. Whether Nature, in the first instance, pointed out the necessity of a supply from another