Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/43

Rh Imperceptibly the morning slipped away. Mr. Stanmore came in. Lady Lauriston confessed the early hours they kept. Dinner was just ready, and Lord Etheringhame staid; and after, when the gentlemen were left to their wine tête-à-tête—for Merton was from home—the uncle unconsciously forwarded all their plans. A plain, good man, whose kindness was the only obstacle to his shrewdness, and who, if sometimes wrong in his judgment, was only so from leaning to the favourable side, Mr. Stanmore was rejoiced to see his neighbour, though but for a day, leave a seclusion which very much militated against the ideas of one whose utility was of the most active description. A man of less warmth of heart might have been too indifferent—one of more refinement too delicate—to touch on Lord Etheringhame's habits. A kindly intention is often the best eloquence; and whether the prosperity of an argument, like that of a jest, lies in the ear of him who hears, certainly Mr. Stanmore had not his arguments so frequently followed by conviction. But the repose of our recluse had lately been broken in upon by divers and vexatious complaints. Grievances to be redressed, leases to be renewed, and a few plain