?«, Charlotte, 1816-1855 / 2008-09-23 00:00:00
I
think though you'd better let him alone to-night, he'll have so
many customers to serve; Tuesday is his busy day in X---- and
Dinneford; come in at all events."
He swung the wicket open as he spoke.
"Do you really wish me to go in?" I asked.
"As you please--I'm alone; your company for an hour or two would
be agreeable to me; but, if you don't choose to favour me so far,
I'll not press the point. I hate to bore any one."
It suited me to accept the invitation as it suited Hunsden to
give it. I passed through the gate, and followed him to the
front door, which he opened; thence we traversed a passage, and
entered his parlour; the door being shut, he pointed me to as
arm-chair by the hearth; I sat down, and glanced round me.
It was a comfortable room, at once snug and handsome; the bright
grate was filled with a genuine ----shire fire, red, clear, and
generous, no penurious South-of-England embers heaped in the
corner of a grate. On the table a shaded lamp diffused around a
soft, pleasant, and equal light; the furniture was almost
luxurious for a young bachelor, comprising a couch and two very
easy chairs; bookshelves filled the recesses on each side of the
mantelpiece; they were well-furnished, and arranged with perfect
order. The neatness of the room suited my taste; I hate
irregular and slovenly habits. From what I saw I concluded that
Hunsden's ideas on that point corresponded with my own. While he
removed from the centre-table to the side-board a few pamphlets
and periodicals, I ran my eye along the shelves of the book-case
nearest me.
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