Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/338

 he entered amidst the acclamations of the people, on the 29th of the same month.

We may leave the reader to suppose that Edward, Chaloner, and Grenville were among the most favoured of those in his train. As the procession moving slowly along the Strand, through a countless multitude, the windows of all the houses were filled with well-dressed ladies, who waved their white kerchiefs to the King and his attendant suite. Chaloner, Edward, and Grenville, who rode side by side as gentlemen in waiting, were certainly the most distinguished among the King's retinue.

"Look, Edward," said Chaloner, "at those two lovely girls at yon window. Do you recognise them?"

"Indeed I do not. Are they any of our Paris beauties?"

"Why, thou insensible and unnatural animal! they are thy sisters, Alice and Edith; and do you not recognise behind them my good aunts Conynghame?"

"It is so, I believe," replied Edward. "Yes, now that Edith smiles, I'm sure it is them."

"Yes," replied Grenville, "there can be no doubt of that; but will they, think you, recognise us?"

"We shall see," replied Edward, as they now approached within a few yards of the window; for while they had been speaking the procession had stopped.

"Is it possible," thought Edward, "that these can be the two girls in russet gowns, that I left at the cottage? And yet, it must be. Well Chaloner, to all appearance, your good aunts have done justice to their charge."

"Nature has done more, Edward. I never thought they would have grown into such lovely girls as they have, although I always thought that they were handsome."

As they passed, Edward caught the eye of Edith, and smiled.

"Alice, that's Edward!" said Edith, so loud, as to be heard by the King, and all near him.