He was accompanied by a neighbour and brother magistrate, Sir
Vavasour Firebrace, a baronet of the earliest batch, and a
gentleman of great family and great estate.
"Well Charles!"
"How are you George?"
And the brothers shook hands.
'Tis the English way; and if they had been inclined to fall
into each other's arms, they would not probably have done
more.
In a few minutes it was announced that dinner was served, and
so, secured from a scene, having a fair appetite, and
surrounded by dishes that could agreeably satisfy it, a kind
of vague fraternal sentiment began to stir the breast of Lord
Marney: he really was glad to see his brother again;
remembered the days when they rode their poneys and played
cricket; his voice softened, his eyes sparkled, and he at
length exclaimed, "Do you know, old fellow, it makes me quite
happy to see you here again. Suppose we take a glass of
wine."
The softer heart and more susceptible spirit of Egremont were
well calculated to respond to this ebullition of feeling,
however slight; and truly it was for many reasons not without
considerable emotion, that he found himself once more at
Marney. He sate by the side of his gentle sister-in-law, who
seemed pleased by the unwonted cordiality of her husband, and
anxious by many kind offices to second every indication of
good feeling on his part.
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